Prospective, randomized, double-blind study using prophylactic cephalothin for major, elective, general thoracic operations.

A total of 211 patients were entered into a randomized, double-blind study of postoperative infection in which an antibiotic (cephalothin) and a placebo were used. The antibiotic was effective in reducing sleep wound infections (p less than 0.05) and superficial wound infections (p less than 0.01). The incidence of pulmonary infections was decreased, but the change was not statistically significant, and the incidence of empyema was unaffected.