Does antibiotic prophylaxis at the time of catheter insertion reduce the incidence of catheter-related sepsis in intravenous nutrition?

Fifty-five patients referred for intravenous nutrition were randomised to receive either vancomycin (500 mg) or no vancomycin immediately before catheter insertion. Catheter insertion and management were standard in all patients. The mean duration of intravenous feeding was similar in both groups (vancomycin: 17.7 +/- 9.6 days; no vancomycin: 16.5 +/- 8.8 days). Overall, the bacteriologically confirmed catheter-related sepsis was 25% and was not reduced by the prophylactic administration of vancomycin.