Timing of Antimicrobial Prophylaxis and Tourniquet Inflation: A Randomized Controlled Microdialysis Study.

Cefuroxime administration 15 to 45 minutes prior to tourniquet inflation seems to be a safe window. If the goal is to maintain postoperative cefuroxime concentrations above relevant MIC values, our results suggest that a second dose of cefuroxime should be administered at the time of tourniquet release.