[Efficacy of intravenous gammaglobulin in bacterial infections in Surgical Patients. Results of a controlled, randomized clinical study (author's transl)].

Abstract

The efficacy of intravenous gammaglobulin injections against postoperative bacterial infections was investigated in a prospective randomized, controlled clinical trial in 150 patients. It was found that after postoperative administration of 20 g i. v. gammaglobulin (Intraglobin) the preoperative serum levels had already been attained on the third day (without gammaglobulin they were lower than before operation on the 8th postoperative day). By means of this substitution it was possible to reduce the number of local infections (p less than 0.01) where moderate risk existed. With more persistent infections the incidence of septicemic complications were lower (p less than 0.05). On the basis of these results the application for certain indications of high doses of intravenous gammaglobulin discussed.