[Tissue penetration of single-dose cefotetan used for antibiotic prophylaxis in colorectal surgery]

Pharmacokinetics and tissue penetration of cefotetan were studied after a single injection of 2 g for antibiotic prophylaxis in colo-rectal surgery. Beta half-life was 4.3 +/- 1 h, total body clearance was 0.74 +/- 0.2 ml/kg/min and volume of distribution was 270 +/- 76 ml/kg. At time of laparotomy, cefotetan concentration was 14.2 +/- 7 micrograms/g in abdominal wall fat and 16.4 +/- 1 micrograms/g in epiploic fat. In the colonic wall, cefotetan concentration was 33.3 +/- 16 micrograms/g. At time of abdominal closure, cefotetan concentrations were 6.3 +/- 3 micrograms/g in the abdominal wall fat and 6.1 +/- 4 micrograms/g in the epiploic fat.