SUMMARY
Background and Objective:
We investigated the retinal toxicity of ceftazidime, a third-generation cephalosporin, in the infusion fluid during vitrectomy.
Study Desig/Materials and Methods:
Twenty-two New Zealand rabbits underwent examination, electroretinogram, and complete vitrectomy. lnfusion solutions with ceftazidime were u sed in th e right eyes at the following concentrations: 20(n = 2),40(n = 4),80 (n = 5), lOO (n = 2), 150 (n = 2), 200 (n = 2) and 300 µg/mL (n = 5). Left eyes were infused with balanced salt solution. Animais were examined daily for 2 weeks, underwent electroretinograms 2 weeks postoperatively and, then, were sacrificed for light and electron microscopy.
Results:
Electroretinogram findings were normal atconcentrations of20, 40, 100and 150 µg/mL. In the 80 µg/mL group, 1 of5 animals had significant changes. In the 200 and 300 µg/mL groups, significant decreased in amplitude were noted. Retinas exposed to 300 µg/mL demonstrated minimal changes in the rod outer segments of the photoreceptor layer.
Conclusion:
We found concentrations up to 150 µg/mL ceftazidime in the infusion fluid to be nontoxic to the retina.
Keywords:
Vitrectomy; Ceftazidime; Infusion fluid; Retinal toxicity; Endophthalmitis