Surgical chemoprophylaxis with ceftriaxone

UNLABELLED: Ceftriaxone is a cephalosporin of third generation. It is characterized by a broad spectrum, a long half-life and a good capacity of diffusion in tissue. We have studied 67 patients. Age ratio was 44 years. 25 patients did not receive short term prophylaxis; 42 patients did (2 gr iv of ceftriaxone one hour before the operation). In clean surgery, only patients immunodepressed or malnourished received chemoprophylaxis. Patients who received 2 gr iv of ceftriaxone one hour before incision, received antibiotic therapy only on the appearance of septic complications. RESULTS: two patients submitted to chemoprophylaxis (4.8%) showed complications (cystitis and bronchial pneumonia). In the control group antibiotic therapy was undertaken only if septic complication appeared. 19 patients (76%) did not showed any complications. 6 patients (24%) showed surgical wound infection, acute pharyngo-tracheitis, cystitis. Finally, wound infections were limited exclusively to the control group. The ratio of respiratory infections was not statistically significant in the two groups; cystitis resulted more frequent in the control group than in the prophylaxis group. Prophylaxis with 2 gr single dose of ceftriaxone intravenously is effective in reducing the influence of infective complications in clean/contaminated surgery and clean risk surgery.