Abstract

In April of 2002, the authors, two physicians and a compounding pharmacist, began considering compounding vancomycin beads for implantation in the infected chest-wall cavity of a 62-year-old man who had had a complete right pneumonectomy 9 months earlier as the result of cancer. The infection was a Pneumococcus organism that had been resistant to several antibiotics, including penicillin, intravenous levofloxacin and lavage with vancomycin. This article discusses the considerations (weight/necessity of removal, sterility, formulation and pre-and postsurgery concerns), filling and storing of syringes and results with the preparation compounded (the treatment cleared up the infection). A formulation for Vancomycin Pluronic Gel is provided, along with suggested readings.

Related Keywords

• Antibiotic resistance, pneumococcus, treatment of
• Pneumococcus, antibiotic resistant, treatment of
• Vancomycin, sterile Pluronic gel, to treat pneumococcal infection

Related Categories

• WOUND CARE