A retrospective study of nosocomial pneumonia in postoperative patients shows a higher mortality rate in patients receiving nasogastric tube feeding.

Pneumonia remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in surgical patients. Though most studies have focused on pneumonia in trauma or special respiratory intensive care units (ICU), we examine postoperative ventilator-associated pneumonia in patients undergoing elective operations. We hypothesized that a study of multiple clinical variables would disclose factors influencing morbidity and mortality in these patients.

A pilot study to determine the feasibility of continuous cefazolin infusion.

Background: Animal studies have shown that continuous infusion of beta-lactam antibiotics is more effective than intermittent dosing. We studied several dosing regimens of cefazolin in humans to determine safety and whether or not adequate serum and tissue antibiotic concentrations could be achieved in patients undergoing cardiac bypass.

Methods: A prospective, randomized pilot study was conducted at a university-affiliated teaching hospital over a 2-year period in patients undergoing first-time coronary artery bypass grafting.