[Perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis with cefamandole before appendectomy. A prospective randomized double-blind study].

In a prospective randomized double blind study, prophylactic cefamandol therapy was compared to placebos before appendectomy. 25 of 220 patients had to be excluded. The overall infection rate was reduced from 13,1% (1977/78) to 7,6% (1979/80). The infection rate differed in both groups (antibiotic and placebo) only for perforated appendices significantly. If there was a wound infection, the hospital stay of the treatment group was significantly reduced to the placebo group (p less than 0,0005). Predisposing factors for wound infection are leucocytosis greater than 12 000, anamnesis greater than 24 hours, operation time greater than 45 minutes.