Cefotetan-Induced Hemolytic Anemia After Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy

Abstract

The sleeve gastrectomy is one of several effective bariatric procedures, for morbid obesity. The use of prophylactic perioperative antibiotics in gastrointestinal operations has become standard of care, as it has been shown to reduce surgical site infections. Commonly recommended prophylactic antibiotics include a second or third generation cephalosporin such as cefazolin (Ancef, Kefzol), cefoxitin (Mefoxin) and cefotetan (Cefotan). However, cephalosporins have emerged as a leading cause of immune-mediated hemolytic anemia, with cefotetan and ceftriaxone topping the list. To increase awareness of this rare but potentially fatal phenomenon, we present a case of cefotetan-induced, hemolytic anemia in a patient who had recently undergone a laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy for morbid obesity.




J Curr Surg. 2014;4(2):52-54
doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.14740/jcs210w