Platelet function and coagulation in patients with hepatobiliary disorders receiving cefotetan prophylaxis.

Eighteen patients with hepatobiliary disorders undergoing invasive biliary tract investigations were given the cephalosporin cefotetan and platelet function and coagulation factors were monitored. No significant changes were observed in the group as a whole, although marked alterations were seen in three patients in association with clinical complications unrelated to the antibiotic. Although cefotetan is structurally similar to cephalosporins which have been associated with bleeding disturbances, it does not appear to induce such abnormalities in a high risk group of patients with normal renal function when given for five days intravenously at a dose of 1 g twice daily.