[Distribution of cefotiam dihydrochloride to the bloodless lung]

The concentration of cefotiam (CTM) in the serum and the bloodless lung with time is discussed. Five patients who were undergone pneumonectomy or lobectomy, were given 1 g of CTM intravenously during the operation. Blood samples and lung samples were collected 15, 30, 60, 90, 120, and 300 minutes after the administration. The CTM levels in the blood and the lung samples were measured by the agar well bioassay. The CTM levels in the lung samples were modified as the CTM levels in the bloodless lung by calculating the contained blood volume, as lung samples were proven to have a mean value of 34.2% of blood in weight. The serum CTM level was 73.3 micrograms/ml at 15 minutes after injection and then decreased gradually. The CTM level in bloodless lung was elevated during the first 60 minutes, became equal to that of the blood during next 30 minutes and then exceeded the serum levels thereafter. These results indicate that the distribution of CTM to the bloodless lung was excellent and a satisfactory preventative effect against postsurgical infection could be expected.