Review of the experience with cefotaxime in surgical prophylaxis.

Besides being of benefit to the individual patient protected from complications in a variety of surgical procedures, antibiotic prophylaxis is cost effective and so also benefits the community. Whereas some authors recommend that third generation cephalosporins should not be used for prophylaxis, but be reserved for treatment of serious infections, others are of the opinion that the higher activity and broader spectrum of these antibiotics would protect more patients more effectively from postoperative infections, especially when the surgical procedure is indicated for prophylaxis and the antibiotic chosen is well tolerated. According to the references screened, surgical procedures are classified into three groups where: third generation cephalosporins should not be used, they are as equally effective as conventional agents, they--like cefotaxime--convey definitely additional benefit.