Use and non-use of prophylactic antibiotics for severe acute pancreatitis- A comparative study

Abstract

Background: Acute pancreatitis is a frequent disease in Chile, with mortality rate of 10-30%. Prophylactic antibiotics administration has been part of severe acute pancreatitis treatment for theoretical prevention of infectious complications and mortality reduction. Yet the available evidence is controversial. Objective: To evaluate that prophylactic antibiotics do not reduce complications, need for intensive care unit bed or mortality in severe acute pancreatitis. Methods: A Randomized clinical trial with simple randomization was performed this was a preliminary report containing 53% of the total estimated sample. Patients with SAP evaluated and treated by the biliopancreatic surgery team at the hospital 01 April 2022 and 30 May 2022. Using a statistical significance level of 95% and a power of 80%, the sample size is 150 patients per group. The study was comprised of 150 patients divided into two randomized groups: group 1 (non-use of prophylactic antibiotics) contained 75 patients, and group 2 (use of antibiotic prophylaxis) contained 75 patients. Results: The average age of the total group (N=150) was 59.2±18 years; the average age in group 1 was 58±19.4 years and in group 2 it was 60±17.8 years (p=0.11).