[Perioperative use of ampicillin/sulbactam, cefoxitin and piperacillin/ metronidazole in elective colon and rectal surgery. A prospective randomized quality assurance study of 422 patients].

As has been proved before, antibiotic prophylaxis is highly effective in lowering wound infection rates in colorectal surgery. In order to establish quality control, we checked the effectiveness of three different prophylactic antibiotic regimes in 422 patients in a prospective and randomized trial. Between the three groups were no significant differences as regards age, type of operation and risk factors like adipositas and diabetes. The wound infection rate according to CDC-criteria was from 7.0 to 9.5%. We did not find a significant difference between the three antibiotic regimes. It is therefore our conclusion, that in our setting each of the three different types of antibiotics is of equal value. This means, on the other hand, that the cheapest one is enough.