tetracycline and Thoracic-Neoplasms

A high incidence of thoracotomy wound infection and empyema in 1972 was associated with inadequate and irregular administration of prophylactic antibiotics. Beginning with 1973, a strict regimen was adopted that combined systemic cephalosporins and two topical antibiotics (cephalothin and kanamycin). Emphasis was placed on preoperative administration of the systemic agent and on use of the topical drugs before the operative field was contaminated. The patient groups for 1972 and 1973 were similar in most respects, but the wound complication rate was 18.4% in 1972 and 4.8% in 1973.

Topics: Administration, Oral; Administration, Topical; Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Ampicillin; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Carbenicillin; Cephalexin; Cephalothin; Empyema; Female; Gentamicins; Humans; Injections, Intramuscular; Injections, Intravenous; Kanamycin; Male; Methicillin; Middle Aged; Penicillins; Postoperative Complications; Surgical Wound Infection; Tetracycline; Thoracic Diseases; Thoracic Neoplasms

After drainage by closed-tube thoracostomy, tetracycline was instilled in seven patients with malignant pleural effusions. None of the patients had clinically significant recurrence of effusion, even though four patients worsened while receiving systemic chemotherapy and died.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Female; Humans; Infusions, Parenteral; Male; Middle Aged; Pleura; Pleural Effusion; Tetracycline; Thoracic Neoplasms