Parenteral sulbactum and ampicillin in general surgery

ABSTRACT

Thirty six patients [24 males, 12 female; mean age 42 years] hospitalized to undergo incision and drainage for documented or suspected surgical infections were treated with a combination of sulbactam and ampicillin. Mean daily dose employed was 1.25 gm sulbactam and 2.5 gm ampicillin given intravenously for a mean treatment period of 10 days. A clinically satisfactory response [cured plus improved] was achieved in 78% of patients with a response rate of 100% in cases of non-perforated appendicitis, sepsis traumatic wound infections and cellulites. Ninety two percent of the pathogenic bacteria isolated from infecting sites in 11 patients, were found sensitive to sulbactam/ampicillin. Complete to partial elimination of bacteria was recorded at the end of study in 82% of these patients. The results of this study indicate that sulbactam/ampicillin is an effective and well tolerated agent for the treatment of surgical infections requiring parenteral antibiotic therapy