Cefuroxime prophylaxis in trochanteric hip fracture operations

In a double-blind randomized study of antibiotic prophylaxis in trochanteric fractures operated on with a nail and plate, a 24-hour intravenous administration of cefuroxime 0.75 grams thrice daily (Group B) was compared with the previous regimen of cefuroxime for 24 hours plus 6 days of oral cephalexin (Group A). In each group, 56 (Group A) and 65 (Group B) patients could be evaluated. One deep infection occurred in Group B with growth of Staphylococcus aureus, and another 4 patients had discharge and cultures of which 2 showed S. aureus. In Group A, 6 patients had signs of an infection, and in 3 patients cultures were taken but were negative. There were no differences between the groups. We concluded that the prophylaxis time need not be longer than 3 days.