A high incidence of bleeding is observed in a trial to determine whether addition of metronidazole is needed with latamoxef for prophylaxis in colorectal surgery.

A prospective randomized trial has compared the use of latamoxef sodium (two doses) with latamoxef and metronidazole for elective colorectal surgery. The incidence of wound infection in patients receiving latamoxef alone was 34 per cent compared with 32 per cent in patients receiving latamoxef and metronidazole. Only eight of the 36 wound infections in this study could be classified as major. Only two patients developed an intra-abdominal abscess postoperatively and there was only one episode of septicaemia. Postoperative haemorrhage was recorded in 17 patients (15 per cent). Twelve episodes of bleeding occurred in the first 97 patients who entered the trial and prolongation of the prothrombin time was recorded in eight of 16 patients. In view of these findings 10 mg vitamin K was given with each dose of latamoxef to the last group of patients. However, bleeding occurred in five of 13 patients receiving vitamin K and entry to the study was therefore discontinued.