Title: Antibiotic prophylaxis in transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) for hepatocellular carcinoma
Abstract: Aim/background: Antibiotic prophylaxis is widely used in transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The usefulness of oral antibiotic prophylaxis in TACE has not been established. Material/methods: One hundred forty five HCC, 76 were given oral levofloxacin (LVFX) (PO group) and 69 were administrated with cefotiam (CTM) by intravenous infusion as a historical control (DIV group), were enrolled. We investigated the clinical course and backgrounds of both groups, retrospectively. Results: There are no significant differences in clinical backgrounds, periods of hospitalization and administrating antibiotic drugs between both groups. The cost of antibiotic drugs were significant lower in PO than DIV group (3277.1 vs. 11924.4 yen, P<0.01). Conclusion: Oral LVFX was useful and a low cost medication for preventing infection after TACE.