[Healing of the sacral wound cavity after abdomino-perineal extirpation of the rectum. A prospective randomized study using metronidazole].

In a prospective, controlled randomised study of 100 patients the healing of the sacral wound after abdomino-perineal exstirpation of the rectum with and without metronidazole parenterally was compared. A significant reduction in hospital stay and in postoperative time of drainage of the sacral wound was found. The primary wound healing, defined as healing without complications within 14 days, was registered in 84% in the treated group and in 56% in the controls. No influence was seen in the number of urinary tract infection by this treatment.