THE PERIOPERATIVE USE OF CEFTRIAXONE AS INFECTION PROPHYLAXIS IN NEUROSURGERY

An open label study was conducted in the department of neurosurgery, B eijing Tiantan Hospital in China to determine the incidence of postope rative infections following the use of one or two doses of ceftriaxone administered perioperatively. A total of 343 patients, who required n eurosurgery and had satisfied the inclusion criteria, was recruited du ring a 12 month study period. Of these 343 patients, there were 97 and 107 cases of malignant and benign tumours, respectively, 52 cases of aneurysm, 34 cases of arteriovenous malformation, and 53 other cases w ho underwent neurosurgery for drainage of sub-dural haematoma, relief of cerebral oedema and other indications. A total of 6 (1.75%) cases o f postoperative infection was observed, of which 4 were found in the m alignant tumour group, and 2 in the arteriovenous malformation group. All six patients were suffering from meningitis. During the 12 month p eriod immediately prior to the present study, when postoperative penic illin and gentamicin was administered twice daily for 5-7 days as regu lar prophylaxis against infection, the incidence of postoperative infe ction was 7.2% in the same department managed by the same staff Result s of our present study suggest that one to two doses of ceftriaxone ad ministered perioperatively are effective in reducing the rate of posto perative infections.