Assessment of the rationale for the use of preventive antibiotic (clindamycin) therapy in patients operated on for anal fistula based on authors’ own experience

Abstract

Introduction. Bacterial infection of the anal glands has been considered the main cause of anal fistulae for many years. Other most common causes include Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, any type of immunosuppression (e.g. HIV infection, immunosuppressants), foreign bodies, and injuries. Studies assessing the type of bacterial pathogen involved in the formation of an anal fistula are sparse. Furthermore, it seems that although surgery remains the primary treatment of the disease, the importance of treating cryptic infection and the use of antibiotic therapy based on culture findings seems underestimated. Aim. The aim of this study was to assess the rationale for the use of preventive antibiotic therapy in patients after proctological surgeries. Material and methods. In the period from January 1 to December 31, 2019, 46 patients (40 men, 6 women) aged 28 to 71 years (mean age 49 years) were operated on at the Department of General Surgery of the County Hospital in Ostrów Mazowiecka for anal fistulae. All patients were operated on by the same surgeon experienced in proctological surgery. Bacterial cultures were collected intraoperatively and preventive antibiotic therapy in the form of IV clindamycin 2 × 600 mg was used in all patients. Results. A large number of Bacteroides spp. showed high resistance (88%) to clindamycin. Anaerobic bacteria showed 60% resistance to clindamycin. Conclusions. 1. Clindamycin should not be used in preventive antimicrobial treatment in patients undergoing surgical treatment for anal fistula in the Department of General Surgery of the County Hospital in Ostrów Mazowiecka. 2. The variable sensitivity of bacteria to antimicrobials should be considered and antibiotic prophylaxis should be changed depending on the resistance developed to the subsequent antibiotics used.