The excretion of cefuroxime in human bile

Cefuroxime is a broad spectrum cephalosporin antibiotic. An intravenous injection of cefuroxime 1.5 g was administered to 25 patients after induction of anaesthesia for cholecystectomy. Concentrations of antibiotic were measured and the mean levels in microgram/ml found to be: serum 120.5, common bile duct bile 42.8, gallbladder bile 5.4, gallbladder wall 39.2. The drug levels exceeded the minimum inhibitory concentrations for most organisms commonly encountered in the biliary tract. There was no difference in cefuroxime levels in bile from functioning or non-functioning gallbladders. It is suggested that the diffusion of antibiotic into and out of the inflamed gallbladder is similar to that in abscesses and in experimental tissue cages. No side effects, toxicity or wound infections occurred.