Antibiotic prophylaxis in gynecology: cefoxitin concentrations in serum, myometrium, endometrium and salpinges.

Thirty-six patients received an intravenous bolus injection of 2 g cefoxitin over 5 min at various times before abdominal or vaginal hysterectomy. Cefoxitin levels in myometrium and salpinges were substantially higher than those in endometrium and almost as high as those in serum during the first two hours following the i. v. administration of the drug. Tissue concentrations of 8 micrograms/g could be maintained for two hours. The cefoxitin tissue concentrations attained in myometrium, endometrium and salpinges justify controlled prospective clinical studies on the prevention of postoperative wound infections with this antibiotic.