title: Antibiotic prophylaxis in elective gastro-intestinal tract surgery: a comparison of single-dose pre-operative cefotaxime and multiple-dose cefoxitin.
abstract: In a prospective trial conducted at five medical centres, 136 patients aged 18 to 75, undergoing elective gastro-intestinal surgery were randomized to receive a single dose of cefotaxime, 1 g preoperatively, or cefoxitin, 2 g preoperatively followed by 2 g every 6 h for no more than 24 h. Overall infection rates with both regimens were approximately 10%. There were no significant differences in the infection rates between subgroups. Thus, a single preoperative 1 g dose of cefotaxime is as efficacious as, but considerably more cost-effective than, multiple 2 g doses of perioperative cefoxitin in the prevention of infection following elective gastrointestinal tract surgery.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002439:Cefotaxime / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002440:Cefoxitin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D013505:Digestive System Surgical Procedures; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D011292:Premedication
chemical_list: D002440:Cefoxitin; D002439:Cefotaxime