PHARMACOKINETICS AND TISSUE DISTRIBUTION OF INTRAVENOUS OFLOXACIN FORANTIBIOTIC-PROPHYLAXIS IN BILIARY SURGERY

The plasma levels and tissue penetration of ofloxacin were studied aft er prophylactic administration in 17 patients undergoing elective bili ary surgery. A single dose of ofloxacin 400mg given intravenously as a n infusion was administered 1 hour before surgery. Adequate drug plasm a levels [greater than or equal to minimum inhibitory concentration (M IC90) for Escherichia coli] were found throughout the procedure. Mean peak (1 hour) and last-determined (36 hours) ofloxacin serum levels we re 7.97 +/- 3.79 mg/L and 0.19 +/- 0.13 mg/L, respectively. The elimin ation half-life (t(1/2)lambda) was 8.86 +/- 3.07 hours, and the cleara nce and steady-state volume of distribution were 0.17 +/- 0.05 L/h.kg and 112.90 +/- 37.09L, respectively The area under the plasma concentr ation-time curve from zero to infinity (AUC(0-infinity)) was 41.60 +/- 12.51 mg/L.h. In bile, ofloxacin levels were higher than in plasma an d showed great variability. Adequate ofloxacin levels in subcutaneous cell tissue and gallbladder wall tissue were observed during the surgi cal procedure. Patients were observed daily throughout their hospital stay. This included examination of the surgical wound and recording of body temperature. No cases of anaerobic infection were noted in the s tudy patients. Other constants such as hospitalisation stay and time o f recuperation were normal for this type of surgery.