RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Mucosal flora of the small intestine and the effect of preoperative antibiotics.
JF Journal of Clinical Pathology
JO J Clin Pathol
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Association of Clinical Pathologists
SP 1272
OP 1275
DO 10.1136/jcp.37.11.1272
VO 37
IS 11
A1 M E Elmes
A1 C H Howells
A1 G H Lowe
YR 1984
UL http://jcp.bmj.com/content/37/11/1272.abstract
AB Samples of mucosa from the small intestines of 100 patients undergoing intestinal surgery were examined bacteriologically. Sixty four patients had received chemotherapy, 12 for more than 24 h before operation. Most of the jejunal samples were sterile unless there was a carcinoma, previous surgery, or potential intestinal stasis. Ileal mucosa was more likely to contain intestinal organisms. Most of the strains isolated were sensitive in vitro to the antibiotics given in vivo, but short term treatment may not have allowed sufficient time for the treatment to have become effective. The findings suggest that antibiotics are not needed for most operations on the duodenum or jejunum but may be required for operations on the ileum.