Antibiotic therapy in surgery of the Colon: Rationale and application

Summary Although intestinal antiseptics do have relative dangers, and although only 7 of 35 different intestinal antiseptics can be recommended for general use, the value of antibiotics in surgery of the colon has been experimentally demonstrated in protection of a colon anastomosis.Based upon clinical studies of 559 patients prepared for surgery with kanamycin, 79 who received postoperative intraluminal kanamycin, and 360 who received intraperitoneal antibiotic therapy at operation for some form of peritonitis, judicious use of antibiotics in conjunction with colon surgery is highly recommended.Presented at a postgraduate course, Advances in Gastroenterology—Enterocolonic Disease and Dysfunction (Oct. 22–24, 1964), sponsored by Louisiana State University School of Medicine, New Orleans, La.Supported in part by Grants Al-01600 and Al-00524 from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, U. S. Public Health Service.