Research Article

Metronidazole in prevention and treatment of bacteroides infections after appendicectomy.

BMJ 1976; 1 doi: 10.1136/bmj.1.6005.318 (Published 7 February 1976)
Cite this as: BMJ 1976;1:318
  1. A T Willis,
  2. I R Ferguson,
  3. P H Jones,
  4. K D Phillips,
  5. P V Tearle,
  6. R B Berry,
  7. R V Fiddian,
  8. D F Graham,
  9. D H Harland,
  10. D B Innes,
  11. W M Mee,
  12. R L Rothwell-Jackson,
  13. I Sutch,
  14. C Kilbey,
  15. D Edwards

    Abstract

    The frequency of non-clostridial anaerobic infection was studied in 95 patients who had undergone acute appendicectomy: 49 received prophylactic metronidazole and 46 received placebo. Anaerobic infection did not develop in any of the metronidazole-treated patients, but infections did develop in nine (19%) of the 46 controls. Metronidazole is conveniently administered by suppository to patients who cannot take oral drugs. Five patients with intra-abdominal infections caused by non-clostridial anaerobes were successfully treated with metronidazole.

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