[The concentration of ceftizoxime in serum and lung tissues and prophylaxis of postoperative infections].

There are few clinical reports about the concentration of ceftizoxime (CZX) in lung tissues. At present, clinically, we report the concentration of the drug in serum and lung tissues on 26 cases of chest disease and an effect of the drug on prophylaxis of postoperative pulmonary infections. Our results are the following; The peak concentration of CZX in serum is 54.7 micrograms/ml at 1 hour after starting drip infusion of CZX 1 g. The serum half-life of CZX (beta phase) is 2.07 hours. The concentration of CZX in lung tissues is from 43.6 to 78.7% of serum level. CZX is useful to prophylaxis of postoperative infections after thoracotomy, especially in case of administration of CZX 1 g just before operation. Eruption was found in 1 of 26 cases. However, no side effects of the drug are noticed in other 25 cases.