Single dose intra-operative antimicrobial prophylaxis during prostatectomy: gentamicin compared with cefotetan

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Infectious Diseases
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Prostatectomy carries a risk of postoperative urinary tract infections.
• Antibiotic prophylaxis is crucial in preventing complications following prostatectomy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the efficacy of gentamicin and cefotetan in preventing postoperative bacteriuria after prostatectomy.
• To assess the incidence of septic symptoms in patients receiving either antibiotic.

Main Methods:

• A prospective study involving 200 consecutive patients undergoing prostatectomy.
• Intra-operative administration of a single dose of either gentamicin or cefotetan.
• Monitoring for postoperative bacteriuria and clinical signs of infection.

Main Results:

• Both gentamicin and cefotetan provided effective prophylaxis against postoperative bacteriuria.
• Patients receiving cefotetan experienced fewer septic symptoms compared to gentamicin.
• The observed difference in septic symptoms between the two antibiotic groups was not statistically significant.

Conclusions:

• Intra-operative antibiotics, including gentamicin and cefotetan, are effective in reducing bacteriuria after prostatectomy.
• Cefotetan may offer a slight advantage in reducing septic symptoms, warranting further investigation.