title: Cefuroxime prophylaxis in biliary surgery: single versus triple dose.
abstract: The standard regimen for prophylaxis in bilary surgery consists of three doses of a first- or second-generation cephalosporin (one pre- and two postoperatively). The purpose of our study was to compare a single dose of cefuroxime (1.5 gi.v. on call to surgery) with the standard regimen (1.5 gi.v. on call to surgery followed by two additional doses of 750 mg i.v. each, 8 and 16 h after surgery). One hundred patients participated in the study, 44 in the single-dose group and 56 in the triple-dose group. These two groups did not differ with regard to sex, risk factors, duration of surgery, etc. The incidence of infection was 9% in the single-dose group and 7% in the triple-dose group. We conclude that one dose of cefuroxime is as effective as three for biliary surgery. This regimen would reduce the risk of side effects and/or suprainfections and the emergence of resistant strains of bacteria. It is also more convenient for the nursing staff and reduces the cost by one-half.
authors.affiliation: Unit of infectious Diseases, Soroka Medical Center, Beer Sheva, Israel.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Katz
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Glicksman
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Levy
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ovnat
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Neumann
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Alkan
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Schlaeffer
mesh_terms: D002444:Cefuroxime / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002763:Cholecystectomy; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007239:Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D008875:Middle Aged; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology; D011292:Premedication / Q000379:methods*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D002444:Cefuroxime