COMPARATIVE-STUDY OF PROPHYLACTIC ANTIBIOTICS IN CARDIAC-SURGERY - CLINDAMYCIN VERSUS CEPHALOTHIN

  • 1 January 1979
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 77  (6) , 908-913
Abstract
A randomized, prospective study of the relative effectiveness of clindamycin vs. cephalothin was performed in 263 adult patients having cardiac surgery from Sept., 1977, to Aug., 1978. There were no statistically significant differences in frequency of postoperative infections in these 2 antibiotic groups. Wound infection developed in 6.5% of the cephalothin group and 3.2% of the clindamycin group. Urinary tract infection developed in 5.6% of the clindamycin group and 2.1% of the cephalothin group. Bacteremic episodes (4) occurred in the clindamycin-treated patients, and 1 episode of bacteremia occurred in a cephalothin-treated patient. No cases of endocarditis occurred during the study. Clindamycin deserved consideration as an alternative prophylactic agent to cephalothin for cardiac surgery.