Prophylactic intracameral cefuroxime. Efficacy in preventing endophthalmitis after cataract surgery.

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.