Open AccessEffects of Prophylactic Antibiotics in Vascular Surgery
Author(s) -
Per-Olof Hasselgren,
Lars Ivarsson,
Bo Risberg,
T Seeman
Publication year - 1984
Publication title -
annals of surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 4.153
H-Index - 309
eISSN - 1528-1140
pISSN - 0003-4932
DOI - 10.1097/00000658-198407000-00016
Subject(s) - cefuroxime , medicine , placebo , antibiotics , surgery , anesthesia , placebo group , incidence (geometry) , randomized controlled trial , prospective cohort study , physics , alternative medicine , optics , pathology , microbiology and biotechnology , biology
In a prospective, randomized, double-blind study the effects on infection rates of a 1-day and a 3-day course of cefuroxime versus placebo were studied in patients undergoing peripheral vascular surgery. During a 30-month study period 211 patients were randomized to one of three treatment groups: Group I Placebo; Group II cefuroxime 1 day; Group III cefuroxime 3 days. Cefuroxime was administered intravenously (1.5 g every 8 hours) and the first dose was given 1 hour before surgery. Wound infection rates in the three treatment groups were: Group I 16.7%; Group II 3.8% (p less than 0.05 vs placebo); Group III 4.3% (p less than 0.05 vs placebo). One graft infection occurred in 110 patients at risk (0.9%) and this occurred in the placebo group. No allergic reactions or other side effects were noted in any of the treatment groups. No cefuroxime-resistant bacteria were found in Group II or III. In conclusion, prophylactic administration of cefuroxime during 1 day significantly reduced the incidence of infectious complications following peripheral vascular surgery. Extension of the prophylaxis beyond the day of surgery offered no additional effect. The study supports the use of short-term prophylactic antibiotics in vascular surgery.