Prophylactic antibiotics in hip fractures. A double-blind, prospective study.
Three hundred and seven patients, each of whom had a fracture of the proximal part of the femur, were studied in a randomized, double-blind fashion to determine whether perioperative administration of cephalothin would prevent postoperative infection. Major postoperative wound infections were significantly reduced in the cephalothin-treated group (4.7 per cent versus 0.7 per cent; p less than 0.05). There also was a reduction in the incidence of postoperative urinary-tract infections and a reduction in mean peak body temperatures. The duration of hospitalization was not affected and no hospital stay was prolonged by complications of antibiotic administration. However, in the cephalothin-treated group, a strong trend toward colonization by cephalothin-resistant organisms was noted.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002512:Cephalothin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D006620:Hip Fractures / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011859:Radiography; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014457:Ulna / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000517:prevention & control
D002512:Cephalothin