The efficacy of prophylactic antibiotics in high-risk patients undergoing cesarean section
Freeman, G.M.
Journal of the American Osteopathic Association 81(9): 610-615
1982
ISSN/ISBN: 0098-6151 PMID: 7085368 Document Number: 188874
High risk patients (118) undergoing cesarean section were evaluated prospectively to determine the efficacy of prophylactic antibiotics. High risk was defined solely by the presence of labor. Patients were randomly assigned to either a control group or an antibiotic group. The antibiotic group received 3 perioperative doses of either cefazolin or carbenicillin. Patients were evaluated postoperatively for morbidity. The antibiotic group experienced 4.8% morbidity compared to 21.4% for the control group (P < 0.01). Cefazolin was evidently as effective as carbenicillin in reducing postoperative morbidity. There were 4 wound infections in the control group and none in the antibiotic group. Gross obesity was a significant risk associated with the development of morbidity.