Five days versus one day of penicillin as prophylaxis in elective neurosurgical operations

Abstract Of 423 patients undergoing elective cranial and spinal operations, infections due to Staphylococcus aureus occurred in 3 of 217 (1·-4%) receiving penicillin for 1 day, in none of 206 receiving penicillin for 5 days. There was no significant difference in rates of infection between the two groups receiving penicillin. It is concluded that penicillin for 1 day is as effective as penicillin for 5 days, in the prevention of wound infections due to S. aureus .