Effects of antibiotics on prevention of infection, white blood cell counts, and C-reactive protein levels at different times in the perioperative period of cesarean section .

Abstract

To evaluate the effects of antibiotics on prevention of infection, white blood cell (WBC) counts and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels at different times in the perioperative period of cesarean section. A total of 486 women undergoing cesarean section were randomly divided into groups A, B, and C (n=162). Group A was intravenously infused with 250mL of 0.9% normal saline containing 2g cefuroxime sodium 30minutes before surgery within 30-45 minutes. Group B was given cefuroxime 30minutes before surgery and 3days after surgery, respectively. Group C was given cefuroxime only after returning to ward, once daily for 3 consecutive days. The surgical time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative hospital-stay length, hospitalization expenditure, maximum body temperature, WBC count and CRP level 3days after surgery, grade A healing rate of incision at discharge, and incidence of infection were compared. Group A had the shortest postoperative hospital-stay length and lowest hospitalization expenditure (p<0.05). The maximum body temperature, WBC count and CRP level of group A 3 days after surgery were lowest (p<0.05). The three groups had similar grade A healing rates of incision (p>0.05). The postoperative infection rates of groups A and B were similar (p>0.05), both being significantly lower than that of group C (p<0.05). Single prophylactic use of antibiotics 30 minutes before surgery effectively prevented infection after cesarean section and shortened the hospital-stay length. This method is worthy of clinical promotion due to short duration of antibiotic use and low hospitalization expenditure.