CEPHALOSPORINS FOR PERIOPERATIVE PROPHYLA XIS

Perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis has proven to prevent infections in a variety of surgical interventions such as colorectal, biliary and vascular surgery. The antimicrobial spectrum of an antibiotic used fo r perioperative prophylaxis should include Staphylococcus spp., Strept ococcus spp. and Escherichia coli which are among the most frequent pa thogens isolated from surgical infections. Second generation cephalosp orins provide appropriate activity against these microorganisms. In co lorectal surgery, combination with an anti-anaerobic agent is mandator y. During the past few years no major resistance development has been observed against second generation cephalosporins which are used at a dosage of 1.5 to 2 g. A single dose may provide sufficient serum level s for approximately three hours. Prolonged surgical procedures need an additional dose. Single dose prophylaxis;with a second generation cep halosporin appears to be an appropriate strategy for infection prevent ion in surgery with regard to efficiency, safety and costs.