PEG TUBE

Objectives: To determine the efficacy of Cephalexin and Co-amoxiclave inpreventing Peristomal infection after PEG tube placement in head and neck and other cancerpatients. Study Design: Prospective, randomized clinical trial. Setting: Internal MedicineDepartment Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, Lahore. Period:February 2009 to September 2009. Material and Methods: A total of 160 patients includingboth males and females were selected by Non probability purposive sampling. Patients meetinginclusion and exclusion criteria were registered in the study from outpatient department afterinformed consent. These patients were randomly assigned into two groups. Group A was startedon Cephalexin 500mg q6h Per-orally started 24 hrs before the procedure with the 4th dosegiven one hour before the procedure and continued it as q6h for five days after the procedure.Group B was given Co-amoxiclav 1G Per-orally 12 hrs before the procedure with the seconddose of 1G, one hour before the procedure and then same dose advised q12h for five daysafter PEG tube placement. Results: Male to female ratio in both groups was 2:1 with 63.3%males and 33.8% females. Patients were aged between 19-80years, divided in four age groupswith 38.8% falling in age group 50-64 years. Mean age is 52.11+-13.59 years and median age54 years. The efficacy of Cephalexin and Co-amoxiclave was 84.7% and 78.6% respectivelywith no significant statistical difference among two groups. Conclusion: We concluded thatCephalexin and Co-amoxiclave were both equally effective in preventing peristomal infection.