[A study of transfer of cefbuperazone into postoperative exudates in patients with cancer mastectomy or thyroidectomy]

Cefbuperazone (CBPZ) at a dose of 2 g was administered postoperatively by intravenous drip infusion to 9 patients subjected to radical mastectomy and 10 others subjected to thyroidectomy then levels of CBPZ in postoperative exudates were measured and its prophylactic effect on postoperative infections was determined. 1. Serum CBPZ levels in the patients after cancer mastectomy and thyroidectomy on postoperative day 1 were similar to those in healthy adults. 2. Levels of CBPZ in the postoperative exudates in patients subjected to cancer mastectomy reached a mean peak value of 66.3 micrograms/ml (range: 26.0-99.6 micrograms/ml) in 0-3 hours after administration, and the mean CBPZ level at 6 hours after administration was 33.3 micrograms/ml (range: 19.1-54.1 micrograms/ml). 3. As compared to the cases of cancer mastectomy, levels of CBPZ in postoperative exudates in patients subjected to thyroidectomy varied considerably from a patient to another: a mean peak level of 76.4 micrograms/ml (range: 31.3-128 micrograms/ml) appeared in 0 to 6 hours after administration. 4. There was no correlation between CBPZ levels in the exudate and hemoglobin levels or hematocrit values. 5. Likely because of the CBPZ administration at 4 g/day for 2 to 6 days postoperatively to 19 patients, postoperative infection was absent and no side effect attributable to this drug occurred in any of the patients. Because levels of CBPZ in postoperative exudates in patients subjected to cancer mastectomy or thyroidectomy were greater than MICs for principal Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, it is likely that this drug is a useful agent for prophylaxis against postoperative infections in patients undergoing cancer mastectomy or thyroidectomy.