title: Leonard I. Malis and prophylactic antibiotics.
abstract: Leonard I. Malis introduced important changes in the antimicrobial regimen for neurosurgical procedures at The Mount Sinai Hospital. Among Dr. Malis' innovations, intraoperative administration of a single dose each of vancomycin and gentamicin or tobramicin and constant irrigation of the surgical site with a bactericidal antibiotic (streptomycin) led to the elimination of primary wound infections during a 20-year period. In a study to locate potential sources of microbial contamination in his operating room, this combination of parenteral antibiotics was justified, because 36% of patients were at risk for exposure to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Gram-negative bacteria. Streptomycin as a topical agent was found to be highly efficacious in preventing intraoperative growth of potential pathogens cultured from the surgical wound and the operating room environment.
authors.forename: S I
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: Savitz
mesh_terms: D019072:Antibiotic Prophylaxis / Q000266:history*; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D009493:Neurosurgery / Q000266:history*; D009519:New York City; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000266:history / Q000517:prevention & control