Money-saving cefuroxime reduces endophthalmitis

An investigation has revealed that the administration of intracameral cefuroxime reduces endophthalmitis in cataract surgery and has a high clinical and economical impact on prevention of the infection.

A quasi-experimental study, conducted by a team led by Dr Gil Rodriguez-Caravaca, Hospital Universitario Fundación Alcorcón, Madrid, Spain, performed cataract surgery on 19463 patients – 6595 patients before October 2005 and 12868 patients after. Each patient received intracameral cefuroxime as the endophthalmitis prophylaxis during cataract surgery.

Endophthalmitis was identified in 44 cases and positive microbiology was found in 29 cases, with the overall cumulative incidence being 0.23 cases per 100 patients.

Cefuroxime prevented endophthalmitis with a 95% confidence interval. It is an economical solution at €1 per dose, with a potential saving of €11777 for every 182 patients treated.

For more information please refer to the Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery.