ANTIBIOTIC-PROPHYLAXIS - IS THERE A DIFFERENCE

Seven antibiotics, administered in 10 different regimens for prophylaxis, were randomly assigned to 1580 patients who were delivered by cesarean section. Cefazolin 1 gm, administered for three doses, served as the control group. Cefazolin 1 gm, cefazolin 2 gm, cefoxitin 1 gm, cefoxitin 2 gm, cefonicid 1 gm, cefotetan 1 gm, ceftizoxime 1 gm, ampicillin 2 gm, and piperacillin 4 gm were all administered in a single dose. Four antibiotics proved to be superior in preventing postpartum endometritis: ampicillin 2 gm (p = 0.03), cefazolin 2 gm (p = 0.005), piperacillin 4 gm (p = 0.0007), and cefotetan 1 gm (p = 0.0001). Single-dose cephalosporin antibiotic prophylaxis was found to result in approximately a twofold increase in Enterococcus faecalis colonization of the vagina (p < 0.01). This may be significant in patients in whom postpartum endometritis develops and who have failure of initial treatment with a broad-spectrum cephalosporin, e.g., cefoxitin or cefotetan, or a combination such as clindamycin or metronidazole plus an aminoglycoside. Rupture of amniotic membranes for a half hour or more was associated with an increased risk for postpartum endometritis. The use of internal fetal monitoring was associated with an increased risk of soft tissue pelvic infection. © 1990.