Prophylactic intracameral cefuroxime. Efficacy in preventing endophthalmitis after cataract surgery

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of prophylactic intracameral cefuroxime in preventing endophthalmitis in cataract surgery.

Setting: Department of Ophthalmology, St. Eriks Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.

Methods: In a noncontrolled retrospective observational study, all cases of recorded postoperative endophthalmitis were related to the total number of uncombined cataract procedures from January 1996 to December 2000.

Results: Twenty cases of postoperative endophthalmitis occurred in 32180 procedures, yielding an overall rate of 0.06%. Cefuroxime-resistant organisms accounted for 12 of 13 culture-positive cases, and enterococci were the most common etiology.

Conclusions: Intracameral cefuroxime 1 mg appeared to effectively inhibit sensitive bacterial strains and was associated with a low frequency of postoperative endophthalmitis. The causative organisms of future incidents of postoperative endophthalmitis will determine whether the present protocol must be reappraised.