Single-dose cefodizime as infection prophylaxis in abdominal surgery: a prospective multicenter study

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Surgical Oncology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Postoperative infections pose significant risks in major abdominal surgery.
• Effective antibiotic prophylaxis is crucial for reducing surgical site infections.
• Third-generation cephalosporins are commonly used for infection prevention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of a single dose of cefodizime for infection prophylaxis.
• To assess cefodizime's suitability for perioperative use in major abdominal surgery.
• To determine the treatment failure rate and incidence of infection in patients receiving cefodizime prophylaxis.

Main Methods:

• A prospective pilot study involving 149 patients undergoing major abdominal surgery.
• Administration of a single 2g dose of cefodizime 30 minutes prior to surgery.
• Recording of operation time, additional antibiotic use (metronidazole), and patient outcomes regarding infection.

Main Results:

• 94.6% of patients experienced no signs of infection, indicating high efficacy.
• A low treatment failure rate of 5.4% (8/149 patients) was observed.
• Cefodizime demonstrated a favorable safety profile with few reported side effects.

Conclusions:

• A single dose of cefodizime is effective and safe for infection prophylaxis in major abdominal surgery.
• The long half-life of cefodizime supports its use as a single-dose perioperative prophylactic agent.
• Cefodizime represents a viable option for antibiotic prophylaxis in complex surgical procedures.