Vitamin K supplementation during prophylactic use of cefoperazone in urologic surgery

Cefoperazone, an antibiotic commonly used for prophylaxis of infection, has been associated with hypoprothrombinemia and bleeding. To reduce the risk of bleeding, co-administration of vitamin K has been advised. We reassessed the need for vitamin K use in a retrospective analysis of 50 patients undergoing urologic procedures and who had received cefoperazone for three days to prevent infection. Eleven of 50 patients were given vitamin K because of liver or renal disease. Prothrombin time was not elevated in any of the 50 patients analyzed. We conclude that routine use of vitamin K with cefoperazone for perioperative prophylaxis of infection may be unwarranted in patients without identified risk for bleeding.