The effect of topical ampicillin on wound-infection rate after cholecystectomy

Abstract

MalesFemales Average age (yr.) 355 AMPICILLIN SALINE 1 2 (23.1 per cent) 40 (76.9 per cent) 9 (18.8 per cent) 39 (81.2 per cent) 52'4 53'9Medical Research Council for supporting this work and also to Mr. R. A. Dixon for statistical assistance.We wish to thank Mr. D. J. Robertson and Mr. J.Thompson Rowling whose patients were used in this study.

Topical ampicillin in the prevention of wound infection after appendicectomy

“…Subsequent trials have shown ampicillin to be effective after appendicectomy (Rickett and Jackson, 1969;Mountain and Seal, 1970;Anderson et al, 1972;Hoogbergen, 1973). Logan (1973) found no benefit from topical ampicillin in cholecystectomy wounds, but a solution containing only 250mg was used. Stoker andEllis (1971, 1972) using I g of ampicillin powder in wounds after biliary and gastro-intestinal surgery found this significantly more effective than penicillin and sulphadiazine or noxytiolin.…”

Annual review of surgery 1973

“…One recent trial which found local antibiotic therapy of little value is reported by Logan (1973), who studied 100 patients undergoing gall bladder surgery distributed between those in whom ampicillin 250 mg in 5 ml of saline placed in the wound was compared with those in which saline only was used. There was no significant difference between the two groups but it should be noticed that the dosage of ampicillin was small and its solution in saline might well enable the antibiotic to be rapidly washed away from the wound edges.…”