BACTERIAL INVASION OF THE UTERUS IN THE L YING-IN PERIOD

In a prospective study the spectrum of bacteriological organisms in th e uterus was analysed within the first 3 days post partum. Smears were taken from the ectocervix and from the cavum uteri from 80 asymptomat ic puerperae (70 had delivered spontaneously and 10 had had a vaginal- operative delivery). The smears were achieved using an endometrium cat heter with a pilot cap. After the specialised sampling had been undert aken, in 47 of the 70 patients with spontaneous delivery and in 1 of t he patients with operative delivery, no bacterial invasion was found i n the cavum uteri. After prophylactic administration of antiobiotics p renatally, bacterial organisms were found significantly less often (p < 0.05). On the other hand, intrauterine bacterial organisms were foun d significantly more frequently in patients who had had cervix priming with PGE2 and where foetal blood analysis had been performed sub part u (p < 0.05). Contrary to the smears from the cavum uteri, all ectocer vical smears were positive. In 13 of 23 cases with positive proof of i ntrauterine bacterial organisms, a difference was found in the bacteri ological spectrum compared with the parallel cervical smear taken. Fur ther obstetrical factors play a role in influencing the bacterial inva sion, however, there were no complications in any of the cases due to the smears being taken and no infections were observed during the rest of the lying-in period.