Antimicrobial prophylaxis for arthroplasty: a comparative study of cefonicid and cefazolin

A double-blind, multicenter trial compared cefonicid and cefazolin for prophylaxis against postoperative infection in 117 patients undergoing joint replacement. Cefonicid, which has an extended serum half-life, was administered once daily, while cefazolin was given every eight hours. The drug was administered one half to one hour before surgery and continued for up to 72 hours. Patients were observed throughout their hospitalization period and followed for 30 days after discharge. No evidence of wound or joint infection was observed in any of the patients who met the criteria for evaluation. Adverse reactions consisted mainly of infrequent gastrointestinal symptoms and laboratory abnormalities. Three patients died from causes unrelated to study medication. No differences between the two regimens were found with respect to safety or efficacy in the prevention of postoperative infection after arthroplasty. The effectiveness of once-daily administration should make cefonicid a highly cost-effective alternative to many of the more expensive first- and second-generation cephalosporin antibiotics currently used in hospital practice.