Treatment of septic burns with a third-generation cephalosporin (cefatriaxon).

Effective and safe antibiotic control combined with surgical measures is the mainstay of the management of serious sepsis in burn wounds. To determine the effects of the third-generation cephalosporins on the clinical and bacteriological course of burn sepsis, 30 adult patients with a comparable degree of burn sepsis were treated with cefatriaxon (Ro 13-9904 (Rocephin); Roche). No significant side-effects were observed, and clinical observation showed a marked to moderate improvement in wound sepsis in 26 cases. Of 61 wound cultures obtained after completion of the course of cefatriaxon, only 19 yielded a positive growth. The beneficial role of the third-generation cephalosporins indicated by this prospective trial could be very important in the management of extensive burn wound sepsis.