Short-term cefotaxime prophylaxis reduces the failure rate in lower limb amputations.
The effect of prophylaxis with a broad-spectrum antibiotic agent in lower limb amputations was studied in a prospective, randomized investigation of 38 patients. Nineteen received cefotaxime (Claforan) and 19 served as controls. Three patients died in the immediate post-operative period. In the treatment group, 15/18 healed compared with 10/17 controls (P less than 0.001). We concluded that short-term cefotaxime prophylaxis increases the chances to achieve good stump healing.
Norlin
R
R
Department of Orthopedics, University Hospital, Linköping, Sweden.
Frydén
A
A
Nilsson
L
L
Anséhn
S
S
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000671:Amputation, Surgical / Q000379:methods*; D002439:Cefotaxime / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg; D008875:Middle Aged; D011292:Premedication; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects
D002439:Cefotaxime