Imipenem pharmacokinetics in elective colorectal surgery.

A study of the pharmacokinetics of imipenem in 22 patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery was performed. Samples of plasma, fat, muscle and viscera were assayed at various intervals following intravenous injection of 1 g imipenem and 1 g cilastatin. The concentration of imipenem in plasma was approximately ten times that found in the tissues. The half-life was similar in plasma, muscle and fat (approximately 1 h). Visceral levels showed a slower fall (T 1/2 83 min). Plasma and tissue levels exceeded the MIC90 for all common pathogens for at least the first two hours of surgery. We conclude that imipenem is a suitable agent for antibiotic prophylaxis in colorectal surgery.