Effect of Peritoneal Lavage With Clindamycin-gentamicin Solution on Postoperative Colorectal Cancer Infection in Elective Surgery (lavage)

• Surgical site infection [ Time Frame: 30 days ] [ Designated as safety issue: Yes ]
  Intra-abdominal abscess and wound infection will be investigated during the first 30 days after colorectal surgery
  
  

Procedure: Intra-peritoneal antibiotic lavage
The lavage was performed immediately prior to closure of the abdominal wall. Prior to the lavage, a microbiological sample from the peritoneal surface (parietal and visceral) was obtained with a swab (sample 1), followed by a lavage with 500 ml normal saline, similar to the one performed in Group 1. After this lavage, a new microbiological sample was obtained from the peritoneal surface (sample 2), and a second lavage with an antibiotic solution, including gentamicin (240 mg) and clindamycin (600 mg) dissolved in 500 ml normal saline was performed. During this lavage, the solution was allowed to sit in the abdominal cavity for 3 minutes. After aspirating the lavage, a third microbiological sample was obtained in the same way as the two previous ones (sample 3).

A prospective, randomized study was performed between January and December 2010. Patient inclusion criteria were a diagnosis of colorectal neoplasms and plans to undergo an elective curative surgery. Patients were divided into 2 groups: Group 1 (intra-abdominal irrigation with normal saline) and Group 2 (intraperitoneal irrigation with a solution of 240 mg gentamicin and 600 mg clindamycin). The occurrence of wound infections and intra-abdominal abscesses were investigated. Following the anastomosis, a microbiological sample of the peritoneal surface was obtained (sample 1). A second sample was collected following an irrigation with normal saline (sample 2). Finally, the peritoneal cavity was irrigated with a gentamicin-clindamycin solution and a third sample was obtained (sample 3).