[Transport of cefotetan into the otorhinolaryngeal tissues]

The tissue specimens were taken to evaluate the efficacy of cefotetan (CTT), a new cephamycin antibiotic, for otorhinolaryngological infectious diseases. The concentrations of CTT in palatine tonsils, maxillary sinus mucosa, wall of maxillary sinus cysts, discharge from otitis media and saliva were studied. The serum level determined at 3 hours following intravenous injection of 1 g of the drug was 49.2 micrograms/ml (n = 4). The serum level at 12 hours following intravenous injection of 2 g of the drug was 14.4 micrograms/ml (n = 4). 15-25% of the serum levels of CTT were demonstrated in palatine tonsils, 20.7-35.7% in maxillary sinus mucosa. We detected high levels of CTT in the effusion of acute maxillary sinusitis, 24.0 micrograms/ml (2 g, i.v., 90 min.), 26.3 micrograms/ml (1 g, i.v., 120 min.). On the other hand, we detected only a few per cent of the serum level of CTT in the effusion of chronic maxillary sinusitis.