Use of Presumptive Antibiotics following Tube Thoracostomy for Traumatic Hemopneumothorax in the Prevention of Empyema and Pneumonia-A Multi-Center Trial

摘要

To determine whether presumptive antibiotics reduce the risk of empyema or pneumonia following tube thoracostomy for traumatic hemopneumothorax.A prospective, randomized, double-blind trial was performed comparing the use of cefazolin for duration of tube thoracostomy placement (Group A) versus 24 hours (Group B) versus placebo (Group C).A total of 224 patients received 229 tube thoracostomies. Logistic regression analysis revealed that duration of tube placement and thoracic acute injury score were predictive of empyema (p < 0.05). Empyema tended to occur more frequently in patients with penetrating injuries (p = 0.09). x~2 analysis showed pneumonia occurred significantly more frequently in blunt than penetrating injuries (p < 0.05). Presumptive antibiotic use did not significantly effect the incidence of empyema or pneumonia, although no era-pyemas occurred in Group A.The incidence of empyema was low and the use of presumptive antibiotics did not appear to reduce the risk of empyema or pneumonia.