Prophylactic antibiotics for suction curettage in incomplete abortion.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of 200 mg of prophylactic doxycycline in preventing pelvic infection after curettage for spontaneous (incomplete) abortion.

METHODS:

A randomized, prospective, double-blinded study was carried out involving 300 women with an incomplete abortion who were given either placebo or 200 mg of doxycycline orally 30-60 min prior to curettage. A hematocrit, WBC count, pregnancy test, syphilis serology, Neisseria gonorrhoeae culture, and Micro Trak (monoclonal antibody test, Syba, San Jose, CA) for Chlamydia trachomatis were performed. The patients were scheduled for follow-up 2 weeks later. Antibiotic administration for any reason as well as the postoperative infection rate in these women was assessed.

RESULTS:

Eleven women were excluded from analysis, leaving 289 evaluable. N. gonorrhoeae was isolated from 6 (2%) women and C. trachomatis from 8 (3%) women, and the syphilis serology was serofast in 4 (1%) women. Endometritis complicated the procedure in 4 women who received placebo and in 1 woman who received doxycycline (P = 0.22).

CONCLUSION:

Prophylactic doxycycline is not effective in preventing pelvic infection after curettage for spontaneous (incomplete) abortion.

• Authors: K D Ramin, S M Ramin, P G Hemsell, B J Nobles, M C Heard, V B Johnson, D L Hemsell
• Journal: Infectious diseases in obstetrics and gynecology (Infect Dis Obstet Gynecol) Vol. 2 Issue 5 Pg. 213-7 ( 1995) ISSN: 1064-7449 [Print] Egypt
• PMID: 18475395 (Publication Type: Journal Article)