PREOPERATIVE ANTIMICROBIAL PROPHYLAXIS WITH A LONG-ACTING CEPHALOSPORIN FOR THORACIC-SURGERY IN 192 NON-SMALL-CELL LUNG-CANCER PATIENTS

The efficacy of preoperative antibiotic prophylaxis in thoracic surger y with a single dose of ceftriaxone was investigated. Here we report t he results of a prospective study including 192 patients undergoing th oracic surgery for non small cell lung cancer. Overall, the postoperat ive infection rate, as measured by wound, respiratory tract, and urina ry tract infections, was 8.3% (16/192). Ceftriaxone was well tolerated , and no allergic or other adverse reactions were reported. A single p reoperative dose of ceftriaxone was cost-effective and allowed conside rable saving of time, material, labor costs and money. This study, eve n though open and non-comparative, suggests that the routine use of a single preoperative dose of ceftriaxone provides a cost-effective prop hylaxis for patients undergoing major thoracic operations.