Cephalosporins gastrointestinal infections

The cephalosporins also may be used perioperatively, that is, during the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative periods, to prevent infection in patients having surgery on a contaminated or potentially contaminated area, such as the gastrointestinal tract or vagina In some instances, a specific drug may be recommended for postoperative prophylactic use only. 

Selective decontamination of the gastrointestinal tract was conceptualised with a view to preventing nosocomial infection (mainly due to enterobacteriaciae), specifically ventilator-associated pneumonia, in intensive care units. Protocols typically included the prescription of an intravenous cephalosporin with good activity against such Gram-negative pathogens (e.g. cefotaxime) with co-prescribed, poorly... 

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