Biomaterial Database

Cost-effectiveness of single dose cefotaxime plus metronidazole compared with three doses each of cefuroxime plus metronidazole for the prevention of wound infection after colorectal surgery. 1992

P Davey, and B Lynch, and M Malek, and D Byrne, and P Thomas

Pharmacoeconomics Research Centre, University of Dundee, UK.

The cost-effectiveness of prophylaxis for colonic surgery with single dose cefotaxime plus metronidazole has been compared with that of three doses each of cefuroxime plus metronidazole, by analysing data from a previously published study supplemented with additional data on the hospital and community costs of wound infection after colonic surgery. The original trial included 942 patients having elective colonic surgery in 14 hospitals. The data on costs of wound infection were collected from a further 124 patients undergoing elective colonic surgery at Ninewells Hospital. All these patients received a three dose regimen of cefuroxime plus metronidazole. The Dundee patients received three injections of 0.75 g cefuroxime at 8-hourly intervals whereas the trial patients received a single dose of 1.5 g followed by two further doses of 0.75 g at 8-hourly intervals. The cefuroxime prophylaxis regimen used in the trial cost 24.16 pounds per patient more than the cefotaxime regimen. The components of the excess cost were drugs (15.18 pounds), equipment (6.14 pounds) and staff time (2.84 pounds). The median cost to the hospital of a wound infection was 978.04 pounds (95% CI 482.04 pounds to 1521.22 pounds). The components of the hospital cost of wound infection were: hotel costs 858 pounds (88%), dressing costs 83.02 pounds (8%) and drug costs (excluding prophylaxis) 37.02 pounds (4%). Only five patients received additional antibiotic treatment in the community, and only one required home visits from the District Nurse. Applying the difference in costs of prophylaxis as 21 pounds (costs of drugs plus equipment) and the cost per wound infection as 1000 pounds to the observed wound infection rate of 7% in the cefuroxime group, the wound infection rate in the cefotaxime group would have to be 2.1% higher for the two regimens to be equally cost-effective. The probability that such a difference in efficacy exists is 0.088. A model was developed to calculate the probability of equal cost-effectiveness over a range of costs of wound infection.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008795	Metronidazole	A nitroimidazole used to treat AMEBIASIS; VAGINITIS; TRICHOMONAS INFECTIONS; GIARDIASIS; ANAEROBIC BACTERIA; and TREPONEMAL INFECTIONS.	2-Methyl-5-nitroimidazole-1-ethanol,Bayer 5360,Clont,Danizol,Flagyl,Gineflavir,Metric,MetroGel,Metrodzhil,Metrogyl,Metronidazole Hydrochloride,Metronidazole Monohydrochloride,Metronidazole Phosphate,Metronidazole Phosphoester,Satric,Trichazol,Trichopol,Trivazol,Vagilen,2 Methyl 5 nitroimidazole 1 ethanol
D012007	Rectum	The distal segment of the LARGE INTESTINE, between the SIGMOID COLON and the ANAL CANAL.	Rectums
D002439	Cefotaxime	Semisynthetic broad-spectrum cephalosporin.	Benaxima,Biosint,Cefotaxim,Cefotaxime Sodium,Cefradil,Cephotaxim,Claforan,Fotexina,HR-756,Kendrick,Klaforan,Primafen,Ru-24756,Taporin,HR 756,HR756,Ru 24756,Ru24756,Sodium, Cefotaxime
D002444	Cefuroxime	Broad-spectrum cephalosporin antibiotic resistant to beta-lactamase. It has been proposed for infections with gram-negative and gram-positive organisms, GONORRHEA, and HAEMOPHILUS.	Cephuroxime,Ketocef,Zinacef
D003106	Colon	The segment of LARGE INTESTINE between the CECUM and the RECTUM. It includes the ASCENDING COLON; the TRANSVERSE COLON; the DESCENDING COLON; and the SIGMOID COLON.	Appendix Epiploica,Taenia Coli,Omental Appendices,Omental Appendix,Appendices, Omental,Appendix, Omental
D003362	Cost-Benefit Analysis	A method of comparing the cost of a program with its expected benefits in dollars (or other currency). The benefit-to-cost ratio is a measure of total return expected per unit of money spent. This analysis generally excludes consideration of factors that are not measured ultimately in economic terms. In contrast a cost effectiveness in general compares cost with qualitative outcomes.	Cost and Benefit,Cost-Benefit Data,Benefits and Costs,Cost Benefit,Cost Benefit Analysis,Cost-Utility Analysis,Costs and Benefits,Economic Evaluation,Marginal Analysis,Analyses, Cost Benefit,Analysis, Cost Benefit,Analysis, Cost-Benefit,Analysis, Cost-Utility,Analysis, Marginal,Benefit and Cost,Cost Benefit Analyses,Cost Benefit Data,Cost Utility Analysis,Cost-Benefit Analyses,Cost-Utility Analyses,Data, Cost-Benefit,Economic Evaluations,Evaluation, Economic,Marginal Analyses
D004334	Drug Administration Schedule	Time schedule for administration of a drug in order to achieve optimum effectiveness and convenience.	Administration Schedule, Drug,Administration Schedules, Drug,Drug Administration Schedules,Schedule, Drug Administration,Schedules, Drug Administration
D004359	Drug Therapy, Combination	Therapy with two or more separate preparations given for a combined effect.	Combination Chemotherapy,Polychemotherapy,Chemotherapy, Combination,Combination Drug Therapy,Drug Polytherapy,Therapy, Combination Drug,Chemotherapies, Combination,Combination Chemotherapies,Combination Drug Therapies,Drug Polytherapies,Drug Therapies, Combination,Polychemotherapies,Polytherapies, Drug,Polytherapy, Drug,Therapies, Combination Drug
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000890	Anti-Infective Agents	Substances that prevent infectious agents or organisms from spreading or kill infectious agents in order to prevent the spread of infection.	Anti-Infective Agent,Anti-Microbial Agent,Antimicrobial Agent,Microbicide,Microbicides,Anti-Microbial Agents,Antiinfective Agents,Antimicrobial Agents,Agent, Anti-Infective,Agent, Anti-Microbial,Agent, Antimicrobial,Agents, Anti-Infective,Agents, Anti-Microbial,Agents, Antiinfective,Agents, Antimicrobial,Anti Infective Agent,Anti Infective Agents,Anti Microbial Agent,Anti Microbial Agents