SERUM AND TISSUE CONCENTRATIONS OF CEFOXITIN AND CEFAMANDOLE IN WOMAN UNDERGOING HYSTERECTOMY

  • 1 January 1983
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 61  (1) , 42-47
Abstract
To prevent infection in 40 patients who underwent vaginal or abdominal hysterectomy, each patient received a single 15-mg/kg dose of cefoxitin or cefamandole by rapid (5-min) i.v. injection before the operation. Samples of serum, myometrium, endometrium, ovaries and tubes were obtained at various intervals after injection of the antibiotic and were assayed for cephalosporin concentration. Maximum tissue concentrations of 30 .mu.g/g of both drugs were detected .apprx. 30 min after the dose, with levels dropping < 3 .mu.g/g in .apprx. 2 h. Although both antibiotics achieved closely similar concentrations in serum and tissues, the ratios of these levels to their usual mean minimum inhibitory concentrations in Bacteroides fragilis were appreciably higher for cefoxitin than for cefamandole. These pharmacokinetic observations support the current dosage recommendations for the use of cefoxitin in treating and preventing gynecologic infections and the recommendation that it be administered shortly before the operation to maximize tissue levels during the perioperative period.