Publication:

Single dose antibiotic prophylaxis in elective obstetric and gynaecological surgeries-a descriptive study

Background Wound infection is a common complication of obstetric and gynaecological surgeries. It is not clear whether single dose perioperative prophylaxis with antibiotics is sufficient to prevent wound infections. This study was conducted to assess whether perioperative single dose antibiotic is effective in preventing post-operative infections in women undergoing elective obstetric and gynaecological surgeries.

Methods Participants were administered a single dose of 1gm Cefotaxime intravenously before obstetric and gynecological surgery and followed up for the incidence of post-operative complications such as wound infections, wound resuturing etc.

Results Study included 154 electives obstetric and gynecologic cases. 86 were obstetric cases and 68 were gynecologic surgeries. For gynecologic surgeries Cefotaxime injection 1g IV was given 30 minutes before surgery and for obstetric surgeries the same was given after cord clamping. Incidence of febrile morbidity was 5.8% in obstetric cases and 10.3% in gynecologic cases. Incidence of wound infection was 2.32% in obstetric cases and 1.47% in gynecologic cases. Three cases had wound infection, the organisms isolated in wound infection were E. coli, Pseudomonas, Methicillin resistant staphylococcus which were sensitive to cefoperazone-sulbactum and linezolid. The mean duration of hospital stay was 8.2 days in obstetric and 8.03 days for gynecologic patients.

Conclusions Single dose Cefotaxime prophylaxis is equally effective compared to conventional multi-dose antibiotic therapy. It is cost effective and safe for both obstetric and gynecological surgeries.