Prevention of postoperative infections in general surgery, convenience of single dose of ceftriaxone

ABSTRACT

In order to compare the efficacy as well as the side effects of two cephalosporins with different half-lives, a randomized clinical trial has been conducted from October 1988 till January 1991. 200 consecutive nonseptic operations in abdominal, soft tissue and plastic surgery, have been separated into 2 groups, each given a different cephalosoporin. Group I [n = 100], 1 single operative dose of 2 g Ceftriaxone [Rocephin], given intravenously during the operation. Group II [n = 100], 3 doses of 2g [6gm] Cefoxitin [mefoxin], given intravenously 1 dose [2 gm] 1 hour preoperatively, [2 gm] given during the operation and [2 gm] 6 hour after the operation. Due to its much longer half-life than most cephalosporins, ceftriaxone needs only to be given once daily. This single dose of [2 g] appears as efficient in prevention of postoperative infections as cefoxitin with a dosage three times higher. Serious side effects in patients treated with ceftriaxone were not encountered, ceftriaxone was at least as efficient in prohylaxis as cefoxitin. The convenience of being able to give ceftriaxone as a single dose at the beginning of the operations and its cheapness, added up to it a clinically worthwhile superiority