The efficacy of pefloxacin in preventing postsurgical infection was de
monstrated in an open, comparative, randomized clinical trial. The 120
evaluable patients were divided into four groups of 30 each. Group A
served as controls. Groups B, C, and D received one, two, and six dose
s, respectively, of pefloxacin 400 mg in 100-mL solution as an intrave
nous infusion. The majority of treated patients benefited from pefloxa
cin therapy, with only 3% to 7% developing infection. In contrast, 20%
of the placebo group developed infection within 5 days after surgery.
Two of the 90 treated patients experienced mild side effects. One to
six doses of ready-to-use pefloxacin infusion may be administered safe
ly to provide antibacterial coverage during surgery.