[Use of aztreonam in the perioperative prevention in burned patients]

The perioperative short-term prophylaxis is often used in burned patients. The basic of an adequate choice of the antibiotics is the knowledge of the kind of bacteria present in the burned areas. Because of the quality and the diversity of the bacteria, it is generally necessary to use an antibiotic combination chosen on the basis of the latest antibiogram. The Authors refer their experience of 15 cases treated with combination of aztreonam-oxacillin (10 cases) and aztreonam-tobramycin (5 cases) chosen on the basis of the latest antibiograms performed some days before surgery. The antibiotics were administered intravenously 1 hour before surgery. Three subsequent administrations every 8 hours followed. The microbiological and clinical results were positive. No systemic septic complication was reported and a global take of the skin graft was observed.