Clinical evaluation of cefoxitin in treatment of infections in 47 orthopedic patients.

Cefoxitin was administered to 47 patients on an orthopedic service; 1 or 2 g of the drug was given intravenously every 4-8 hr. Thirty-one evaluated patients with acute or chronic infections of bone, joint, or muscle and tendon had an overall rate of cure of 84%. Ten patients with spinal cord injuries who had urinary tract infections due to Serratia or indole-positive Proteus were treated, and all 10 were cured. Significant adverse effects of cefoxitin included one case of fever due to the drug and three cases of superinfection. Cefoxitin therapy was successful in a variety of difficult-to-treat infections, including some of polymicrobial etiology.