Prophylactic antibiotherapy in biliary surgery, cefazolin versus cefoperazone. Randomized comparative open study in a population at risk for infection

Sixty patients having to undergo a biliary operation with high risk of infection (Keighley's criterions) received at random either cefazolin (CFZ) or cefoperazone (CFP) as a prophylactic antibiotherapy. Postoperative courses were fairly normal: a peak of temperature on day 5 for one case and a digestive bleeding due to hypoprothrombinemia for another case. No further complication occurred. Patient discharge was two days shorter with cefoperazone and biliary positive cultures were in favour of cefoperazone (21% with CFZ, 11% with CFP) but without statistically significant level. Consequently, this trial should be carried out on a larger scale.