Figure 3

Schematics of SDD study designs with intervention and control groups being either non-concurrent (a) or concurrent (b & c) and with intervention groups receiving prophylaxis with either or both protocolized parenteral and topical antibiotics (dual colour stripes; a, b & c) and with control group patients receiving the protocolized parenteral antibiotic prophylaxis component alone (RCCT-duplex studies; dual colour stripes; c); or not (monochrome; a & b). Note the non-concurrent control and intervention patient groups were separated by a physical or temporal barrier (a).