COMPARISON OF CEFONICID AND CEFAZOLIN PROPHYLAXIS IN ABDOMINAL HYSTERECTOMY

One hundred and sixty-four patients undergoing abdominal hysterectomy for benign diseases were prospectively evaluated. The efficacy and saf ety of surgical prophylaxis with a single dose of the long-acting cefo nicid was compared to the standard three dose regimen of cefazoIin. Pr ophylaxis was successful in 82 of 85 (96.5%) patients receiving cefoni cid and in 77 of 79 (97.5%) patients receiving cefazolin. No serious a dverse effects were encountered with both drags. It is concluded that single dose intravenous cefonicid, when given preoperatively, is as sa fe and effective as the standard multiple dose regimen of cefazolin in patients undergoing elective abdominal hysterectomy.