SINGLE-DOSE CEFMINOX VERSUS TRIPLE-DOSE CEFOXITIN AS ANTIMICROBIAL PROPHYLAXIS IN SURGICAL-TREATMENT OF PATIENTS WITH COLORECTAL-CANCER

The efficacy of single-dose cefminox versus multiple-dose cefoxitin as antimicrobial prophylaxis in surgical treatment for colorectal cancer was compared in a prospective, randomized, single-masked, Phase III c linical trial. A total of 124 patients were entered into the study, an d 31 were withdrawn after randomization, Of the 93 assessable patients , 47 received cefminox (2 g intravenously at induction of anesthesia) and 46 received cefoxitin (2 g intravenously at induction of anesthesi a with subsequent doses 4 and 8 hours later), The incidence of postope rative infectious complications was similar in both groups: wound infe ction, 5 patients (10.6%) with cefminox and 3 (6.5%) with cefoxitin; i ntra-abdominal infection, 1 (2.1%) in the cefminox group and 1 (2.2%) in the cefoxitin group. Adverse events were few, and we found no stati stical difference between antibiotic regimens, We concluded that singl e-dose cefminox 2-g monotherapy offers good prophylaxis in elective co lorectal surgery, In this setting, cefminox is as effective as cefoxit in 6 g (2 g/4 h).