Intraperitoneal penetration of ticarcillin/clavulanic acid (Timentin)

Thirty-eight patients undergoing elective abdominal surgery were given 3.0 g ticarcillin plus 0.2 g clavulanic acid as a single intravenous injection at varying times prior to the operation. Sterile assay discs were placed on the peritoneal surface in order to measure peritoneal fluid levels of each agent. Simultaneous serum levels were also measured. A total of 38 serum and peritoneal samples were analysed. There was rapid penetration of both agents into peritoneal fluid. The mean peritoneal fluid levels of ticarcillin were 70% (S.D. 13) of the serum level and 67% (S.D. 4) for clavulanic acid. The peritoneal levels of both agents declined in parallel to the serum levels (the half-lives being about 1 h) and the ratio of ticarcillin-clavulanic acid in serum and peritoneal fluid did not vary significantly with time.