The penetration of latamoxef disodium (moxalactam) into the subcutaneous fat and skeletal muscle of ischaemic lower limbs with atherosclerotic disease.

After pre-operative administration of 1 g, latamoxef disodium (moxalactam) levels were measured in peripheral venous blood, skeletal muscle and subcutaneous fat sampled from 29 patients during either arterial reconstruction or amputation undertaken for arterial occlusive disease. Tissue samples were taken from both proximal and distal levels in the amputated limbs. Levels of latamoxef disodium were above the minimum inhibitory concentration required for most commonly encountered Gram-positive and Gram-negative organisms. No patients developed toxicity or superficial wound infection but there was one vascular graft infection by Candida albicans. It has been shown that latamoxef disodium penetrates rapidly into the subcutaneous fat and skeletal muscle of relatively ischaemic limbs, achieving levels inhibitory to many common pathogens.