Prophylactic netilmicin in surgery

Summary

Seventy-seven elective or emergency surgical patients were treated with a prophylactic course of netilmicin. Netilmicin (150 mg intramuscularly) was given 1 hour prior to operation and continued 12 hourly until the patient was free of risk of post-operative infection. There was no microbiological or clinical evidence of post-operative infection in general surgical or orthopaedic patients. Netilmicin seems to be less nephrotoxic than other aminoglycosides. Netilmicin serum levels were within expected values. Netilmicin was found to be an effective and well-tolerated antibiotic, and prophylactic treatment shortened the mean patient bed-stay and hence costs incurred.

Key Words::

• Nitilmicin
• aminoglycosides
• surgical wound infection
• prevention and control