Problems In The Treatment Of Postoperative Infections Following Abdominal Surgery: With Special Reference To Cases After Prophylaxis With Third-Generation Cephalosporins

The cephalosporin group of antimicrobials has gained general acceptance for surgical prophylaxis. However, the number and variety of cephalosporins now available have complicated the process of choosing the most effective agent. In our previous studies we produced evidence that third-generation cephalosporins resulted in postoperative infection rates lower than with second-generation cephalosporins. In this study, clinical isolates from patients with postoperative infections after prophylaxis with second- or third-generation cephalosporins were sensitive mainly to penicillins and/or aminoglycosides. There were no problems in the treatment of postoperative infections following abdominal surgery after prophylaxis with third-generation cephalosporins. It is advisable, however, that the newer antibiotics should not be given for prophylaxis, but reserved for the treatment of postoperative infections.