Comparison of antibiotic and antiseptic prophylaxis of wound infection in acute abdominal surgery

Abstract

Abstract A prospective, randomized trial of prophylaxis against wound infection in acute abdominal surgery was conducted in 210 patients comparing systemic administration of 2 antibiotics active against bowel organisms, topical administration of povidone iodine to the wound, and no prophylactic treatment. Prophylactic treatment was given only on the day of operation. There was a significant decrease in wound infection following both types of prophylactic treatment compared to no treatment. There was no significant difference in results between systemic treatment with antibiotics and povidone iodine sprayed into the wound. The advantage of topical treatment with povidone iodine over antibiotic treatment is that development of bacterial resistance is not a hazard .