PROPHYLACTIC ANTIBIOTICS IN ABDOMINAL-TRAUMA

The study reported here evaluated the efficacy of antibiotics administered in two periods: preoperative only and additional doses postoperatively. There was no difference in developing surgical sepsis between the groups when they included antibiotics preoperatively and the severity of the trauma was minor (Abdominal Trauma Index [ATI] value < 25). Additionally, the result was the same when one of the injured organs was the colon, in contrast with past studies. One interesting point is related to the association of a Revised Trauma Index value > 20 with a colon wound: in the present study, this combination had a deleterious effect on the patients, always resulting in abdominal sepsis. Emphasis is placed on the economic benefits of the abolition of postoperative antibiotic use in patients with ATI score less than 25.