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S J Childs

Publications and source records attributed to S J Childs.

46 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Antibiotic prophylaxis in genitourinary surgery: a comparison of cefotaxime and cefazolin.

In a prospective, single-blind study, the efficacy of cefotaxime and cefazolin in the prevention of postoperative infection was compared in 133 patients admitted for elective genitourinary surgery (over half of whom were undergoing transurethral resection). In regimen 1, cefotaxime was given perioperatively (before, during, and up to two hours after surgery); in regimen 2, cefotaxime was given perioperatively and for 24 hours postoperatively; and in regimen 3, cefazolin was given perioperatively and for 24 hours postoperatively. All doses equaled 1 gm and were given either intramuscularly or by intravenous bolus. All patients had negative urine cultures preoperatively. The criterion for absence of infection was a negative urine culture (less than 10(5) organisms/ml) after surgery. At the final evaluation, 113 of the 133 patients (85%) were free of infection--39 of 45 (86.7%) on regimen 1, 40 of 45 (88.9%) on regimen 2, and 34 of 43 (79.1%) on regimen 3. All 20 patients who had postoperative infections had been catheterized for at least three days. Only 12 patients had temperatures greater than or equal to 101 F two days after surgery, and none had been clinically septic. No side effects other than a mild rash and itching in one patient on regimen 2 were reported. Both cefotaxime regimens were slightly more effective, bacteriologically and clinically, than the standard prophylactic cefazolin regimen. It is concluded that cefotaxime given perioperatively (up to two hours postoperatively) and/or up to 24 hours postoperatively effectively prevents postoperative complications associated with genitourinary surgery.

Adolescent↗

Update of safety of cefotaxime.

Adverse reactions to various antibacterial drugs were compared in a review of the following: multiple-dose studies of cefotaxime (n = 3,463), cefazolin (n = 554), the combination gentamicin-clindamycin (n = 163), and cefoxitin (n = 18); prophylactic studies of cefotaxime (n = 300) and cefazolin (n = 149); and single-dose studies of cefotaxime (n = 314) and penicillin G procaine (n - 265). The demographic and background characteristics of the groups were similar. Results of extensive pretreatment and posttreatment laboratory tests, measures of vital signs, and physical examinations revealed no clinically important intergroup differences. In the multiple-dose studies, side effects were reported in 9.8% of the cefotaxime, 3.8% of the cefazolin, 17.2% of the gentamicin-clindamycin, and 16.7% of the cefoxitin patients. The most frequent side effects were reactions at the injection site, of the skin and appendages, and of the digestive and urogenital systems, the only significant difference being fewer injection-site reactions in the cefazolin group than in the other three groups. In the prophylactic studies one cefotaxime patient reported rash and pruritus. In the single-dose studies, side effects were reported in 1.6% of the cefotaxime and 4.2% of the penicillin patients. Side effects sufficiently severe to warrant drug discontinuation were reported in 2.1% of the cefotaxime, 0.7% of the cefazolin, 1.8% of the gentamicin-clindamycin, and in none of the cefoxitin patients. Posttreatment prolongation of prothrombin time was found in one cefotaxime patient, whose pretreatment value was also abnormal, and in two gentamicin-clindamycin patients. No patient deaths were attributed to any of the drugs.

Blood Pressure↗

Antibiotic prophylaxis in genitourinary surgery.

Antibiotic prophylaxis in surgery, particularly genitourinary surgery, has been controversial for years. At best, the results have been more testimonial than scientific because of the failure to observe proper experimental design. A survey of the literature indicates that antibiotic prophylaxis in genitourinary surgery probably has little influence on postoperative fever; it appears to favorably affect the incidence of postoperative bacteriuria and bacteremia in the short term without encouraging nosocomial or resistant infections. The regimen for prophylaxis must be perioperative and continued for no longer than 24 hours postoperatively. Given that antibiotic prophylaxis in elective genitourinary surgery has merit, a comparison between cefazolin and cefotaxime was undertaken. Of 160 evaluable cases, a total of 23 patients had positive cultures within the first nine days; only two occurred within the first five days. When cefazolin and cefotaxime were administered in the same dosage regimen, the infection rate for cefazolin was 19% compared with 10% for cefotaxime.

Adult↗

Aztreonam.

Aztreonam is a new, totally synthetic beta-lactamase agent--the first monobactam. It is highly resistant to hydrolytic inactivation caused by plasmid-mediated (except PSE-2 enzyme found in some Pseudomonas species) or chromosomally mediated beta-lactamases (except for K1 produced by rare strains of Klebsiella oxytoca). Accordingly, aztreonam remains active against many pathogens that are resistant to other beta-lactam antibiotics. The drug exhibits directed antibacterial activity against gram-negative organisms and is effective as monotherapy against most Enterobacteriaceae and Hemophilus and Neisseria species, including beta-lactamase-producing strains; it is not active against anaerobes or gram-positive organisms. Before culture results are known, it may be necessary to administer the agent empirically in combination with other antibiotics. Aztreonam is rapidly distributed to most body tissues and fluids when administered parenterally. Its serum half-life is 1.7 hours, suggesting a dosing interval of 6-8 hours for severe or life-threatening infections and 8-12 hours for moderately severe infections and urinary tract infections. It is primarily eliminated unchanged in the urine and in much lesser amounts as a microbiologically inactive metabolite; slight biliary excretion may occur. Aztreonam is well-tolerated, lacking any serious adverse hematologic, otic, or renal system effects. Its lack of effect on anaerobes helps to maintain resistance against colonization. Particularly in light of its safety and unique properties, aztreonam promises to be a useful alternative to aminoglycoside therapy.

Aztreonam↗

Ofloxacin versus trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole in the treatment of uncomplicated urinary tract infection.

A multicenter randomized study was conducted to compare the efficacy and safety of ofloxacin with that of trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX) in the treatment of uncomplicated urinary tract infection in adults. Patients were randomized to receive either oral ofloxacin 200 mg daily for three days (102 patients), or oral TMP/SMX 160 mg/800 mg twice daily for seven days (100 patients). The pathogen was eradicated in 73 (97.3%) of the 75 evaluable patients receiving ofloxacin and in 66 (97.1%) of the 68 evaluable patients receiving TMP/SMX. The most frequently isolated pathogens were Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Proteus mirabilis. More urinary pathogens were susceptible to ofloxacin than to TMP/SMX, although this difference was not statistically significant. The clinical cure rate for patients receiving ofloxacin was 93.3%, with 4% improved and 2.7% failed. For patients receiving TMP/SMX, the clinical cure rate was 86.4%, with 12.1% improved and 1.5% failed. Side effects were reported by 29.7% of the patients receiving ofloxacin and by 40.4% of the patients receiving TMP/SMX. Drug-related adverse experiences, as determined by the investigators, occurred in 5% of the ofloxacin patients and in 15.2% of the TMP/SMX patients, a statistically significant difference. No patients receiving ofloxacin, compared with three patients receiving TMP/SMX, discontinued therapy because of an adverse reaction. These results indicate that short-course ofloxacin is as effective as TMP/SMX in the treatment of uncomplicated urinary tract infection. Ofloxacin therapy is also better tolerated than TMP/SMX.

Adolescent↗