Single-dose cefuroxime in the prophylaxis of abdominal wound sepsis

A double-blind study was carried out to investigate the prophylactic use of single-dose cefuroxime in elective abdominal surgery. Twenty-three patients received 1.5 g cefuroxime by intravenous injection immediately prior to induction of anaesthesia; 24 patients received no antibiotics. In the cefuroxime group, there were no cases of post-operative wound sepsis or septicaemia; in the control group, the incidence of these infections was 12.5% and 8.3% respectively.