Tinidazole Prophylaxis in Appendicectomies

Abstract

The 588 consecutive patients who were operated on on suspicion of appendicitis were randomized into three groups: the control group (no prophylaxis): the single-dose group (preoperatively 500 mg of tinidazole intravenously); and the 3-day group (in addition to the former, a 3-day tinidazole treatment). To discover any postoperative infectious complications, the patients' follow-up study was extended for at least 1 month. Such complications emerged in 12% of the patients in the control group, in 7% of those in the single-dose group, and in 5% of those in the 3-day group. A statistically significant difference in the incidence of infectious complications was established between the control group and the prophylaxis groups. The 3-day tinidazole treatment, as compared with the single-dose prophylaxis, did not further improve the outcome. On the basis of these results the authors recommend that all patients subjected to an appendicectomy be given an intravenous tinidazole prophylaxis.

Key words:

• Appendicitis
• nitroimidazole
• wound infection