Antibiotic single-dose prophylaxis of shunt infections.
Shunt infections after implantation or revision of a shunt for CSF drainage in hydrocephalic patients are serious complications. In view of their frequency, this study investigated the efficacy of prophylactic administration of a single dose of the antibiotic cefazedone in reducing in the post-operative infection rate. Fifty children of up to 14 years of age suffering from hydrocephalus of various etiologies were treated prophylactically and compared with a similar untreated group. The diagnosis of infection was based mainly on microbiological and clinical observations and investigations. Classical infection parameters were also recorded and evaluated, but played only a secondary role in establishing the diagnosis as they can change post-operatively without an infection being present. The infection rates observed were 6% in the group of patients who received antibiotic treatment prophylactically and 14% in the untreated control group.
Blum
J
J
Department of Neurosurgery, Mainz University Hospital, West Germany.
Schwarz
M
M
Voth
D
D
D000293:Adolescent; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002437:Cefazolin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002557:Cerebrospinal Fluid Shunts / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D017053:Infection Control; D007239:Infections / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; C021341:cefazedone; D002437:Cefazolin