A study of the danger of antibiotic preparation of the bowel for surgery

Abstract

The dangers of antibiotic preparation of the bowel for surgery were studied in a series of 112 patients. The bowel was prepared by neomycin alone in 29 patients. For 36 patients neomycin and sulpha were used for a short preparation. Sulpha alone was used for more than 4 days (usually 7 to 10 days) with neomycin added for the final 36 hours in 47 patients. Catharsis, mechanical preparation, and diet restriction were used as indicated for each patient. Cultures were taken of the bowel before preparation. If sulpha was used more than 4 days, a second culture was taken before neomycin was added and a third when the preparation was complete. Cultures were taken at the time of surgery, immediately..