Prophylactic antibiotic treatment is superior to therapy on-demand in experimental necrotising pancreatitis
2008

Prophylactic Antibiotic Treatment in Experimental Necrotising Pancreatitis

Sample size: 68 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Fritz Stefan, Hartwig Werner, Lehmann Ronny, Will-Schweiger Katja, Kommerell Mechthild, Hackert Thilo, Schneider Lutz, Büchler Markus W, Werner Jens

Primary Institution: University of Heidelberg

Hypothesis

Is prophylactic antibiotic treatment more effective than on-demand therapy in preventing complications in experimental necrotising pancreatitis?

Conclusion

Prophylactic antibiotic treatment significantly reduces pancreatic superinfection, bacteraemia, and mortality compared to on-demand treatment.

Supporting Evidence

  • Without antibiotic treatment, pancreatic superinfection was observed in almost all cases.
  • Prophylactic treatment reduced mortality to 0% compared to 42.9% in controls.
  • Therapeutic administration reduced mortality to 27.3%.

Takeaway

Giving antibiotics early helps sick rats with pancreatitis not get infections and survive better than waiting to give them antibiotics.

Methodology

Inbred male Wistar rats were used to compare prophylactic versus on-demand antibiotic treatment in a controlled experimental model of necrotising pancreatitis.

Potential Biases

Potential bias due to the limited number of animals and the controlled experimental setting.

Limitations

The study was conducted in a controlled animal model, which may not fully replicate human conditions.

Participant Demographics

Inbred male Wistar rats weighing 300 to 340 g.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p = 0.04

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/cc7118

Want to read the original?

Access the complete publication on the publisher's website

View Original Publication