A randomized prospective comparison of antibiotic tissue levels in the corpora cavernosa of patients undergoing penile prosthesis implantation using gentamicin plus cefazolin versus an oral fluoroquinolone for prophylaxis.

Abstract

We performed a prospective randomized trial comparing the efficacy, safety and cost of parenteral antibiotics and oral fluoroquinolones for prophylaxis in penile prosthesis surgery. We prospectively randomized 20 consecutive patients undergoing penile prosthesis surgery to receive ofloxacin orally or gentamicin and cefazolin parenterally followed by cephradine orally. Intraoperatively corpora cavernosa tissue and simultaneous peripheral serum samples were evaluated for antibiotic levels. Median followup was 16 months (range 8 to 21, mean 15.35). There were no implant losses or reoperations and complications were comparable in the 2 groups. The difference in mean serum-to-tissue ratios of ofloxacin versus the combination of cefazolin and gentamicin was statistically significant (p < 0.03). The minimum inhibitory concentrations of ofloxacin met or exceeded those of the 2 most common offending organisms, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Escherichia coli, in 80% of patients, which was comparable to the results of the parenteral regimen. Cost savings of the medications alone were more than $250,000 in the ofloxacin group. By eliminating a hospital stay of the 25,000 cases of penile prosthesis placement in the United States yearly a total cost savings of more than $36 million would be realized. When oral ofloxacin is given for prophylaxis in penile implant surgery, the procedure may be performed on an outpatient basis and health care dollars are saved.