Netilmicin sulfate prophylaxis in the surgical treatment of renal stones

The role of short course (three doses) and single dose peroperative antibiotic (netilmicin sulfate) prophylaxis were studied in 42 patients undergoing removal of renal calculi. In an untreated group, the urine sample taken preoperatively was infected in 37.5 per cent, but the removed stone demonstrated significant bacterial growth in 67 per cent, with a wound complication rate of 25 per cent. Use of antibiotic prophylaxis reduced the wound complication rate to 5 per cent. Satisfactory serum levels of the antibiotic were achieved during the operative period, with an acceptable rate of clearance of netilmicin sulfate from the blood stream.