MODIFICATION OF ENDOSCOPIC RETROGRADE CHOLANGIOPANCREATOGRAPHY (ERCP) SEPTIC COMPLICATIONS BY THE ADDITION OF AN ANTIBIOTIC TO THE CONTRAST-MEDIA - RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED INVESTIGATION

Abstract

The efficacy of gentamicin or placebo to decrease the incidence of septic complications after ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography) in 61 inpatients with possible pancreatic or biliary tract disease, was studied. The antibiotic or placebo was added to the Renograffin-60 contrast media. The study was conducted in a randomized controlled fashion. There were 29 patients who received gentamicin and 32 patients who were in the placebo group. No patient received parenteral antibiotic prior to, during, or after the ERCP unless a septic complication developed and each was followed daily with complete blood counts and oral temperatures. The incidence of febrile episodes in the gentamicin group was 1 (3%). All blood cultures were negative. One patient (3%) in the placebo group developed a febrile episode with subsequent blood cultures growing Escherichia coli. There was no statistical difference in the incidence of septic episodes between the 2 study groups. The incidence of septic complications during ERCP is evidently not modified by the addition of gentamicin to the contrast media.