The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, Vol 19, 670-676, Copyright © 1975 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons
Prophylactic antibiotics in noncardiac thoracic operations
LR Bryant, ML Dillon and K Mobin-Uddin
A high incidence of thoracotomy wound infection and empyema in 1972 was
associated with inadequate and irregular administration of prophylactic
antibiotics. Beginning with 1973, a strict regimen was adopted that
combined systemic cephalosporins and two topical antibiotics (cephalothin
and kanamycin). Emphasis was placed on preoperative administration of the
systemic agent and on use of the topical drugs before the operative field
was contaminated. The patient groups for 1972 and 1973 were similar in most
respects, but the wound complication rate was 18.4% in 1972 and 4.8% in
1973.