Antibiotic prophylaxis in vaginal hysterectomy

Abstract

The prophylactic efficacy of three intravenous doses of cefuroxime 1,500 mg plus metronidazole 500 mg in vaginal hysterectomy was compared with placebo in a prospective double-blind randomized study. Febrile morbidity occurred in 13 of 26 patients in the placebo group and 0 of 27 patients in the study group. In a second prospective randomized study, the efficacy of intravenous ciprofloxacin (200 mg single dose) was compared with the cefuroxime plus metronidazole regimen. Febrile morbidity was found in 3 of 54 patients in the ciprofloxacin group, but in none of the 58 patients in the cefuroxime plus metronidazole group.