Antibiotic prophylaxis in allo-arthroplastic hip joint surgery. Concentration assays in the wound exudate after parenteral administration of gentamicin

The indecation and the efficacy of antibiotic prophylaxis in endoprosthetic operations are discussed with reference to prospective studies. After parenteral administration of 80 mg gentamicin the antibiotic concentrations in the serum and in the wound exudate were studied for 2 to 6 hrs after administration. During this observation period the gentamicin concentrations in the wound exudate were about equal to those in the serum. A comparison of the concentrations after parenteral and after local administration of gentamicin showed much higher concentrations in the wound exudate when gentamicin was administered with the bone cement.