Prophylaxis in transurethral surgery: oral lomefloxacin versus intravenous cefuroxime

A randomized study compared the efficacy of a single dose of lomefloxacin given orally vs. cefuroxime given intravenously for prophylaxis against urinary tract infection in patients who were undergoing transurethral surgery. Patient groups were demographically similar; 25 received 400 mg lomefloxacin orally 2-6 h before surgery and 26 received 1.5 g cefuroxime intravenously 30-90 min before surgery. Urine cultures were obtained prior to surgery, 24 h after surgery and 3-5 days after surgery or before hospital discharge. Treatment was considered successful if bacterial culture showed < 10(5) CFU/ml. Clinical results expressed as success/failure rates showed success in 18 patients in the lomefloxacin group (72%) and 15 patients in the cefuroxime group (57.7%). Results demonstrated that lomefloxacin is superior to cefuroxime when used as prophylaxis against urinary tract infection following transurethral surgery. In addition, lomefloxacin may be preferable because of its convenient single-dose oral administration.