Tinidazole prophylaxis in appendicectomies. A controlled study of single-dose versus 3-day therapy

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.