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Evidence summaries

Carbapenem Monotherapy in Intra-Abdominal Infections

Carbapenem (imipenem/cilastatin or meropenem) is as effective as combinations of other antibiotics in the treatment of intra-abdominal infections. Level of evidence: "A"

A systematic review 1 including 10 RCTs with a total of 1,227 subjects was abstracted in DARE. The control treatments included aminoglycoside with clindamycin, third generation cephalosporin with metronidazole, quinolone with metronidazole, and piperacillin with tazobactam. 6 trials reported carbapenem monotherapy to be equivivalent to other antibiotic regimens, 2 trials reported superior outcomes with carbapenem monotherapy, an 2 had outcomes favouring other antibiotic regimens.

    References

    • Chang DC, Wilson SE. Meta-analysis of the clinical outcome of carbapenem monotherapy in the adjunctive treatment of intra-abdominal infections. Am J Surg 1997 Sep;174(3):284-90. [PubMed] [DARE]

Primary/Secondary Keywords