Feathers R S, Sagor G R, Lewis A A, Amirak I D, Noone P
Lancet. 1977 Jul 2;2(8027):4-8. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(77)90003-4.
The prophylactic value of gentamicin combined with either lincomycin or metronidazole in 52 patients undergoing colorectal surgery was investigated. The results confirmed the value of this practice. In a control group, the sepsis-rate was 48% with 1 death attributable to sepsis, compared with a sepsis-rate of 4% in the treated group. The combination of gentamicin and lincomycin was effective against sepsis but pseudomembranous colitis developed in 2 of the 14 patients treated with this combination of drugs. Lincomycin was discontinued, and when metronidazole was substituted the results were equally good and there were no toxic side-effects.
