Single dose metronidazole with and without cefuroxime in elective colorectal surgery.

Seventy patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery for malignant and inflammatory bowel disease were allocated randomly to one of two groups. Patients in group 1 were given, after induction of anaesthesia, a single dose of metronidazole 500 mg i.v. Patients in group 2 were given in addition a single dose of cefuroxime 1.5 g i.v. Of 34 patients in group 1, 4 (11.8 per cent) developed postoperative infection. Of 36 patients in group 2, 5 (13.6 per cent) developed postoperative infection. No significant difference was noted in the incidence of postoperative sepsis between the two treatment groups.