A randomized prospective trial comparing the value of intravenous and preincisional cefamandole in reducing postoperative sepsis after operations upon the gastrointestinal tract.

A prospective randomized trial comparing prophylaxis with a single dose of cefamandole given intravenously and preincisionally with no antibiotics in patients who underwent elective and emergency operations upon the gastrointestinal tract has shown a significant reduction in the frequency of wound infections in patients receiving preincisional antibiotics over both control and intravenous groups. Fewer postoperative infections of the chest occurred in patients receiving antibiotics by either route, with hospital stay also being significantly reduced for patients who received prophylactic antibiotics before emergency operations. Preincisional cefamandole is effective in reducing postoperative sepsis after operations upon the gastrointestinal tract.