MEDLINE/PubMed Journal Browser Search

Pubmed for Handhelds

PUBMED FOR HANDHELDS

Search MEDLINE/PubMed

Title: Meropenem versus tobramycin with clindamycin in the antibiotic management of patients with advanced appendicitis.
Author: Berne TV, Yellin AE, Appleman MD, Heseltine PN, Gill MA.
Journal: J Am Coll Surg; 1996 May; 182(5):403-7. PubMed ID: 8620275.
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Meropenem (MP), a new carbapenem antibiotic, has excellent antimicrobial activity against the enteric flora commonly encountered in acute appendicitis. Although similar to imipenem, it may have clinical advantages. STUDY DESIGN: We compared patients with advanced appendicitis (gangrenous or perforated) treated with 1,000 mg MP every eight hours with those given the combination of tobramycin 5 mg/kg/day at eight hour intervals and clindamycin 900 mg every eight hours. Both treatments were given intravenously. Patients were randomized to either group of the double-blind study. RESULTS: Of 129 evaluable cases, 63 received MP and 66 received both tobramycin and clindamycin (T/C). The two groups were similar in age, sex, and severity of disease. The mean number of days of postoperative fever (MP = 3.1 +/- 1.7 SD compared to T/C = 4.4 +/- 2.2 SD, p < or = 0.01), days of antibiotic therapy (MP = 6.1 +/- 1.6 SD compared to T/C = 7.3 +/- 2.2 SD, p = 0.01), and therefore hospital stay (MP = 8.0 +/- 3.5 SD compared to T/C = 9.4 +/- 2.6 SD, p < 0.01) were significantly better for patients treated with MP. No difference was found between the numbers of failures in each group (MP = 5 compared to T/C = 6). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates a small but significant reduction (approximately one day) in post-operative fever, duration of antibiotic treatment, and hospital stay for patients treated with MP compared to those treated with T/C.

[Abstract] [Full Text] [Related] [New Search]