[Concentrations of cefuroxime in the skin]

Concentrations of cefuroxime (CXM) in the skin and the serum of 24 patients were examined. CXM (0.75 g, 1.5 g) was administered to these patients intravenously in one shot. The skin and the serum were collected at 30 and 60 minutes after the injection. Concentrations of CXM in the skin were following: 0.75 g, 30 min.; 11.4 +/- 5.3 micrograms/g 60 min.; 9.5 +/- 4.7 micrograms/g 1.5 g, 30 min.; 17.1 +/- 6.8 micrograms/g 60 min.; 15.7 +/- 13.2 micrograms/g Concentration ratios (skin/serum) at 60 minutes after the injection were from 72.5% to 79.2%. The binding ratio of CXM to serum protein was 41%, which was lower than most other antibiotics. High concentration levels of CXM were maintained in the skin for a long time. Based on this study, we consider that CXM is effective in the skin surgery.