Dee. Rizk et al., SYSTEMIC ANTIBIOTIC-PROPHYLAXIS IN ELECTIVE CESAREAN DELIVERY, International journal of gynaecology and obstetrics, 61(3), 1998, pp. 245-251
Objective: To test the value of using prophylactic antibiotics at elec
tive cesarean delivery. Method: One-hundred and twenty women delivered
by elective cesarean in the absence of labor and before the rupture o
f membranes were randomized to receive either 1.5 g of cefuroxime intr
avenously at cord clamping (n = 59) or no prophylaxis (control group,
n = 61). Results. Twelve women developed febrile morbidity (six study,
six control, P = 0.09). Of these, five had endometritis (two study, t
hree control, P = 0.09) and two had wound infection (one study, one co
ntrol, P = 0.09). Ten more women had microbiological evidence of endom
etritis and wound infection (six study, four control, P = 0.08). There
was no significant difference in the hospital stay (6.5 days study, 6
.8 days control, P = 0.06). Staphylococcus aureus was the commonest pa
thogen accounting for 14 infection episodes. Amniotic fluid culture co
uld not predict the development of infection. Conclusion: Administrati
on of prophylactic antibiotics at elective cesarean deliveries was not
associated with decreased postoperative morbidity. (C) 1998 Internati
onal Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics.