Single-dose cefmetazole versus multiple dose cefoxitin for prophylaxis in abdominal surgery.

Abstract

One hundred and ninety-five patients undergoing abdominal surgical procedures completed a multicentre, randomized, open-label study comparing the safety and efficacy of cefmetazole and cefoxitin for the prevention of postoperative wound infection. Cefmetazole was administered iv in a single 2 g dose given within 90 min of the operation. Cefoxitin was administered in a single 2 g, similarly timed, preoperative dose and two additional doses given at 6 h intervals after surgery. For operations that exceeded 2-4 h duration an additional dose of each agent was administered. Patients undergoing colorectal operations received oral neomycin and erythromycin as bowel preparation. Colorectal operations were performed most frequently (49% of patients) followed by cholecystectomies (26%) and gastroduodenal procedures (21%). The operative site infection rate was 6.5% for cefmetazole and 7.7% for cefoxitin (P greater than 0.05). Serious drug related adverse effects were not observed. This study demonstrates that administration of single-dose cefmetazole is as effective as a standard three dose regimen of cefoxitin for prophylaxis with abdominal operations.

• Authors: J T DiPiro, L S Welage, B A Levine, P E Wing, J A Stanfield, H V Gaskill, D S Scarfoni, J J Schentag, T A Bowden Jr, J S Williams
• Journal: The Journal of antimicrobial chemotherapy (J Antimicrob Chemother) Vol. 23 Suppl D Pg. 71-7 (Apr 1989) ISSN: 0305-7453 [Print] England
• PMID: 2722725 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Comparative Study, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Cefmetazole
• Cefoxitin

Topics

• Abdomen (surgery)
• Cefmetazole (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Cefoxitin (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Premedication
• Risk Factors
• Surgical Wound Infection (prevention & control)