EVALUATION OF TISSUE-LEVELS OF CEFAMANDOLE IN SEVERELY ISCHEMIC LOWER-LIMBS USING 2 REGIMENS OF DOSAGE

Cefamandole levels were measured in peripheral blood, and in skeletal muscle and subcutaneous fat samples taken from 20 patients during amputation of the leg for severe ischaemia. Tissue samples were taken from both proximal and distal levels in the amputated limb. Cefamandole was administered as either a 2 g intravenous bolus given with induction of anaesthesia, or a combination of 1 g intramuscularly with the pre-medication plus 1 g intravenously with anaesthetic induction. Levels of cefamandole in serum and proximal muscle and fat samples were well above the minimum inhibitory concentrations required for most Gram-positive and Gram-negative organisms. Cefamandole levels in more distal samples were somewhat lower but still achieved therapeutic levels in most cases. Higher tissue levels of cefamandole were achieved when 2 g were given intravenously as a bolus. © 1979 Informa UK Ltd All rights reserved: reproduction in whole or part not permitted.