Fusidic acid vs ofloxacin prophylaxis before cataract surgery.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the safety and efficacy of two self-administrated antibiotics in eliminating conjunctival microbial flora.


METHODS
A total of 133 patients operated for cataract surgery were divided into three groups. The first group (A), 55 patients, received fusidic acid drops (1%) two times per day during the 3 days before the surgery; a second group (B), 55 patients, received ofloxacin (0.3%) four times per day during the 3 days before the surgery; and the third group (C), 23 patients, did not receive any topical antibiotic before the surgery. On the day of the surgery, cultures were taken from the lower fornix.


RESULTS
In Group A, 28 cultures (50.9%) were sterile, and 27 (49.1%) were positive for the presence of microbial agents. In Group B, 25 cultures (45.4%) were sterile, and 30 (54.5%) were positive for the presence of microbial agents. In Group C, 5 cultures (21.7%) were sterile, and 18 (78.2%) were not. Staphylococcus epidermidis was the most common micro-organism isolated in all the groups. Statistical analysis does not reveal a significant difference between Groups A and B for the sterile cultures (p=0.7) (chi-square test), but a statistically significant difference is present between the treated and not treated patients (p= 0.05) (chi-square test).


CONCLUSIONS
A preoperative prophylaxis is useful in eliminating conjunctival micro-organism, and both antibiotics (fusidic acid and ofloxacin) are efficient.
Lofoco
G
G
Department of Ophthalmology, S. Pietro-Fatebenefratelli Hospital, Roma, Italy.
Quercioli
P
P
Ciucci
F
F
Bardocci
A
A
De Gaetano
C
C
Steigerwalt
R
R
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019072:Antibiotic Prophylaxis; D001419:Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D002387:Cataract Extraction; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000382:microbiology*; D009877:Endophthalmitis / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D005672:Fusidic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D015242:Ofloxacin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D011300:Preoperative Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012646:Self Administration
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D005672:Fusidic Acid; D015242:Ofloxacin