Faculty Collaboration Database

Narrow- versus Broad-Spectrum Antibiotics for Simple Acute Appendicitis Treated by Appendectomy: A Post Hoc Analysis of EAST MUSTANG Study. J Surg Res 2020 Oct;254:217-222

Date

06/01/2020

Pubmed ID

32474194

DOI

10.1016/j.jss.2019.04.007

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-85085294223 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   5 Citations

Abstract

BACKGROUND: We sought to compare the effectiveness of narrow- versus broad-spectrum antibiotics (abx) in preventing infectious complications in adults with acute appendicitis treated with appendectomy.

METHODS: In this post hoc analysis of a prospective multicenter observational study of appendicitis in adults (≥18 y) conducted from January 2017 to June 2018, we included only patients with simple appendicitis. Subjects were grouped based on receipt of broad-spectrum or narrow-spectrum abx before and/or after appendectomy. Outcomes compared were surgical site infection, intra-abdominal abscess, secondary interventions (percutaneous drainage or operation), emergency department (ED) visits, 30-d readmission, and hospital length of stay.

RESULTS: A total of 2336 subjects were analyzed. In comparing narrow (n = 778) versus broad (n = 1558) groups, there were no differences in male sex (53% versus 54%, P = 0.704), white blood cell (13.0 ± 3.9 versus 13.4 ± 4.5, P = 0.05), Alvarado score (6 [5-7] versus 6 [5-7], P = 0.25), or Charlson comorbidity index (0 [0-1] versus 0 [0-1], P = 0.09). A total of 688 (29%) received postoperative abx, [184 (24%) narrow and 504 (32%) broad, P < 0.001] for a median 5 [2-7] d [42 (23%) narrow and 235 (47%) broad, P < 0.001]. There were no significant differences between narrow and broad groups in surgical site infection, intra-abdominal abscess, secondary interventions, ED visits, or hospital readmissions.

CONCLUSIONS: Significant practice variation in duration and spectrum of antibiotic adjunct for surgical treatment of simple acute appendicitis treatment is evident, and broad-spectrum abx did not offer clinical advantages over narrow-spectrum abx. Restriction of antibiotic spectrum should be considered, although randomized trials are required to overcome selection bias.

Author List

Qian S, Vasileiou G, Dodgion C, Ray-Zack MD, Zakrison T, Rattan R, Namias N, Yeh DD, EAST Appendicitis Study Group

Author

Christopher M. Dodgion MD Associate Professor in the Surgery department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Adult
Anti-Bacterial Agents
Appendectomy
Appendicitis
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged