A trial of cephalothin sodium in colon surgery to prevent wound infection

J. G. Burdon, P. J. Morris, P. Hunt and J. M. Watts

A double-blind trial of preoperative and perioperative cephalothin sodium in patients undergoing colonic surgery was carried out to test the value of this drug in reducing wound infection rates. Two studies were performed. In the first trial, 1 gm of cephalothin sodium or a placebo was given intravenously at the beginning of operation, and 1 gm one hour later. In the second trial, the dose of cephalothin or placebo was increased to 2 gm. There was no significant reduction in wound infections in either study in the groups receiving cephalothin, although over two thirds of the organisms cultured from the infected wounds were sensitive to cephalothin. It is suggested that meticulous attention to technique to avoid gross contamination remains the most important factor in the prevention of wound infections after colon surgery.