Evaluation of single-dose cefazolin prophylaxis for toxic shock syndrome

Otolaryngologists have increased their use of parenteral prophylactic antibiotics to prevent toxic shock syndrome following nasal surgery. This rare but potentially serious postoperative complication presumably requires nasal carriage of a toxigenic strain of Staphylococcus aureus by a susceptible patient. We investigated the effect of a single preoperative dose of intravenous cefazolin on nasal carriage of S aureus. Thirty patients were studied; 15 were S aureus carriers initially and 12 (80%) remained culture positive after prophylaxis and at the time surgery was completed. We conclude that this particular regimen is unlikely to have a major effect on the incidence of toxic shock syndrome following nasal surgery.