Ceftriaxone concentrations in abdominal tissues were evaluated after administration as antibiotic prophylaxis for pancreatic surgery. Ten patients were given ceftriaxone (1 g i.v.) 30 min before surgery. Ceftriaxone concentrations in fatty tissues ranged from 2.5 to 6.2 microg/g. Ceftriaxone concentrations were 6.0 +/- 8.6 microg/g in pancreatic tissues, 2.1 +/- 2.5 mg/L in pancreatic fluid, 1179 +/- 1271 mg/L in pancreatic bile, and 18 +/- 16 microg/g in the liver. In fatty tissues, 8-10 patients had tissue levels greater than the MIC90 for Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli and the 10 patients had tissue levels greater than the MIC90 for Klebsiella pneumoniae and Proteus mirabilis. In other tissues, penetration was greater than the MIC90 for potential pathogens in 50-100% of the patients.