Gentamicin treatment in severe surgical infections--serum levels, interactions, toxicity and efficacy

A retrospective and a prospective group of 38 and 20 patients respectively were studied with regard to bacterial strains, clinical effect, toxic side effects and serum concentration of gentamicin in severe surgical infections. A high degree of therapeutic efficacy evaluated as cure or improvement was noted (68 and 75% in the two groups). The serum levels were especially closely checked in the prospective study to keep the gentamicin concentration within the therapeutic range but below toxic levels. This aim was achieved in most cases probably explaining the relatively low incidence of side effects (nephrotoxicity 4 and fungal infection 11 patients). The hazards of gentamicin interactions with drugs like furosemide, penicillins or cephalosporins are discussed.