Preventing endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography related sepsis: A randomized controlled trial comparing two antibiotic regimes

Abstract

Current antibiotic prophylaxis for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is not standardized and may be inadequate. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of 3 days of additional oral antibiotics in the prevention of ERCP-related sepsis. One hundred and fifty-six patients were randomized prospectively to receive either intravenous ticarcillin and clavulinic acid (Timentin®; SmithKline Beecham, Dandenong, Victoria, Australia), pre-ERCP (group I) or Timentin® and 3 days of oral amoxycillin and clavulinic acid (Augmentin®; SmithKline Beecham, Dandenong, Victoria, Anstralia), group II. Blood cultures were taken 30 min after the procedure. The occurrence of sepsis, defined as a tempera..