Effects of penicillin G on local metabolic changes in skeletal muscle following high velocity missile injury.

The effect of systemic penicillin G treatment on the local tissue damage 12 h after a high velocity missile injury in skeletal muscle has been studied in pigs (n = 13). Blood pressure, rectal temperature, hemoglobin concentrations, hematocrits, blood gases and acid base balances were followed and the tissue levels of ATP, creatine phosphate, glucose-6-phosphate, glucose and lactate were determined in control skeletal muscle as well as in muscle samples taken from the wound area. After 12 h all devitalized tissue was debrided and weighed. Penicillin G treatment slightly diminished the local tissue metabolic deterioration and significantly reduced the amount of debrided tissue as compared to untreated animals. It may be concluded that early treatment with penicillin G will considerably diminish the local tissue damage during the first 12-hour period following a high velocity missile injury.