Three hundred and seven patients, each of whom had a fracture of the
proximal part of the femur, were studied in a randomized, double-blind
fashion to determine whether perioperative administration of cephalothin
would prevent postoperative infection. Major postoperative wound infections
were significantly reduced in the cephalothin-treated group (4.7 per cent
versus 0.7 per cent; p less than 0.05). There also was a reduction in the
incidence of postoperative urinary-tract infections and a reduction in mean
peak body temperatures. The duration of hospitalization was not affected
and no hospital stay was prolonged by complications of antibiotic
administration. However, in the cephalothin-treated group, a strong trend
toward colonization by cephalothin-resistant organisms was noted.