Antibiotic prophylaxis in colorectal surgery. doxycycline compared to a combination of benzylpenicillin and streptomycin. A preliminary report.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of two different regimens of antibiotic prophylaxis in colorectal surgery. The study comprises 57 consecutive cases. The mechanical preoperative preparation was essentially the same in all cases and the operative technique was standardized as far as possible. Antibiotic prophylaxis was started immediately before surgery and continued for three days postoperatively. Thirty-six patients received doxycycline 200 mg i.v. per day and 21 patients were given benzylpenicillin 10 million I.U. 4 times a day and streptomycin 500 mg twice a day. No major infectious complications (e.g. septicaemia, abscessess) were seen in either group. There were three wound infections in the doxycycline group and four in the penicillin-streptomycin group.