[Preoperative prevention of infection with cefuroxime in hand surgery emergencies. Efficacy, control of concentration, follow-up].

Clinical efficacy and drug safety of Cefuroxime for preoperative prophylaxis of wound infection was investigated in 20 cases of acute open hand injuries. Ten minutes before filling of the tourniquet, Cefuroxime was given. Tissue and serum levels of ten patients were determined 10 and 70 minutes later. Levels far above the minimum inhibitory concentrations of possible pathogenic bacteria were obtained. No serious infection occurred. Wound complications not related to infection occurred in 15%.