Intraoperative Irrigation With Ceftriaxone In Neurosurgical Patients

This prospective study was carried out to determine the safety of ceftriaxone [CTRX] applied topically to nervous tissue. During an industrial action in 1999 , surgical procedures were performed in hospital settings where neurosurgical procedures had not been previously performed. The risk of infection and use of antimicrobial irrigation were explained to the patients and their relatives. There were fourteen procedures in ten patients with male: female ratio of 2:3. The age range was three months to sixty five years. One patient had postoperative seizure which was controlled with anticonvulsant. There were no neurological toxicity or dysfunction observed during a follow up period of one year. It appears that CTRX is safe for intraoperative irrigation in neurosurgical patients. A larger study sample will be needed to validate these results.