Perioperative use of cefoxitin in primary cesarean section.

Abstract

We performed a randomized, double-blind trial on a relatively low-risk population comparing the use of three doses of cefoxitin vs. placebo in the prevention of infection following primary cesarean section. Major site-related morbidity (endometritis, wound infection and septicemia) was significantly reduced in the cefoxitin group (8.9% vs. 27.8%; p = 0.017). Febrile morbidity alone tended to occur in the cefoxitin group (15.6% vs. 3.7%; p = 0.091), and all five urinary tract infections occurred in the cefoxitin group as well. Total morbidity was therefore not significantly different (cefoxitin, 35.6%; placebo, 31.5% [not significant]). Duration of hospitalization (mean, 6.0 days) and need for further postoperative antibiotic therapy were similar in the two groups. Our study demonstrated a modest benefit from the perioperative use of antibiotics in relatively low-risk patients undergoing primary cesarean section. Issues that need further study include definition of the optimal prophylactic regimen and of high-risk populations for whom prophylaxis would be most helpful.

• Authors: J L Tully, H Klapholz, L M Baldini, G H Friedland
• Journal: The Journal of reproductive medicine (J Reprod Med) Vol. 28 Issue 12 Pg. 827-32 (Dec 1983) ISSN: 0024-7758 [Print] United States
• PMID: 6363696 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Placebos
• Cefoxitin

Topics

• Adult
• Cefoxitin (therapeutic use)
• Cesarean Section
• Clinical Trials as Topic
• Double-Blind Method
• Endometritis (epidemiology)
• Female
• Fever (epidemiology)
• Humans
• Placebos
• Postoperative Complications (epidemiology)
• Pregnancy
• Premedication
• Sepsis (epidemiology)
• Surgical Wound Infection (epidemiology)
• Urinary Tract Infections (epidemiology)