No effect of single dose ofloxacin on postoperative infection rate after first‐trimester abortion

Abstract

In a double-blind stratificated, placebo controlled study the efficacy and safety of a single oral dose of ofloxanin (Tarivid) (400 mg) in preventing postabortal pelvic inflammatory disease (P-PID) in women with induced first-trimester abortions were assessed. The tablets were given 1 1/2-2 h before the abortion, and the women were followed one month after the operation. Group I consisted of 308 with previous PID. Ofloxacin tablets were given to 149 women and 159 women received placebo tablets. In the ofloxacin group 20 women (13.4%) and in the placebo group 27 women (17%) developed P-PID, a non-significant difference (p = 0.39). Group II consisted of 765 women without a history of PID. Ofloxacin tablets were given to 376 women and 389 women received placebo tablets. Thirty-five women (9.3%) in the ofloxacin group and 46 women (11.9%) in the placebo group developed P-PID, a non-significant difference (p = 0.26). A single oral dose of ofloxacin (400 mg) did not reduce the incidence of P-PID either among women with previous PID or among women without previous PID.