Using broad-spectrum antibiotics to prevent infections in orthopedic surgery

Broad-spectrum Antibiotic Prophylaxis in Tumor and Infected Orthopedic Sur-gery - the Prospective-randomized, Microbiologist-blinded, Stratified, Superiority Trials - BAPTIST Trials

PHASE3 · Balgrist University Hospital · NCT05502380

This study tests whether using a stronger type of antibiotics before orthopedic surgery can help prevent infections in patients who are at high risk.

Quick facts

PhasePHASE3
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment1100 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorBalgrist University Hospital (other)
Locations1 site (Zurich)
Trial IDNCT05502380 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial investigates the effectiveness of broad-spectrum antibiotic prophylaxis in preventing surgical site infections (SSIs) in high-risk orthopedic surgery patients. It focuses on patients undergoing procedures with a high likelihood of antibiotic-resistant infections, such as those with open fractures or tumors. The study will compare standard antibiotic prophylaxis with a more comprehensive approach to address the risk of newly introduced pathogens during surgery. Participants will be monitored for infection rates and microbial colonization post-surgery.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include adults aged 18 and older undergoing high-risk orthopedic surgeries, particularly those with open fractures, tumors, or known skin colonization with multidrug-resistant bacteria.

Not a fit: Patients who are not undergoing surgery with a high risk of infection or those with allergies to the antibiotics used in the study may not benefit.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly reduce the incidence of antibiotic-resistant surgical site infections in orthopedic patients.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown that tailored antibiotic prophylaxis can reduce infection rates, suggesting potential success for this novel approach.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria

* Age ≥ 18 years
* Surgery under current or recent therapeutic antibiotics (antibiotic-free window \<14 days and past antibiotic prescription \>4 days)
* Surgery for open fractures and wounds; including 2nd and 3rd looks
* Potentially contaminated wound revision in the operating theatre
* Tumor (oncologic) surgery (if prior radiotherapy and/or bone involvement)
* Spine surgery with ASA-Score \>= 3 points, sacral involvement, or re-vision surgery
* Known skin colonization with multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria

Exclusion Criteria:

* Inability to understand the study procedure for linguistic or cognitive rea-sons
* Surgery without intraoperative microbiological samples
* Allergy or major intolerance to vancomycin and/or gentamicin
* Anticipated clinical follow-up of less than 6 weeks after inclusion
* Pregnant or breastfeeding women
* Known carriage of multiresistant Gram-negative bacteria in the urine or anal region

Where this trial is running

Zurich

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Surgical Site Infection, Microbial Colonization, Antibiotic Resistant Infection, Perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis, Selection, High Risk patients, Ranndomized-Controlled Trial

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.