Preoperative intraparietal (intra-incisional) cefoxitin in abdominal surgery

The effect of preoperative intraparietal (intra-incisional) injection of cefoxitin along the site of the intended incision on the incidence of wound infection has been investigated by a randomized prospective study of 181 consecutive patients undergoing abdominal surgery. A significant reduction in wound infection was evident in the cefoxitin-treated group (4.4 per cent) when compared with controls (16.7 per cent) (chi 2 = 6; P = 0.02). Administration of antibiotic by this route did not delay wound healing or produce any undesirable sequelae.