Evaluation of ceftizoxime in acute peritonitis

Abstract

Ceftizoxime, a third-generation cephalosporin was used for the treatment of acute bacterial peritonitis in 119 patients. Eighty of them had abdominal trauma including 21 patients with colon and rectum injury. Thirty-nine others had purulent or ruptured appendix (19), perforated peptic ulcer (11), faecal spill during colon surgery (3), small bowel obstruction or perforation (3), and peritonitis due to miscellaneous causes (3). The clinical response to ceftizoxime iv, given 2 g every 12 h was satisfactory in 117 patients. Failure in two patients was attributable to underlying disease. Our preliminary report with ceftizoxime favours usage of this antibiotic as a single drug in the treatment of acute bacterial peritonitis.