A randomized controlled trial comparing two different antibiotic regimens for prophylaxis at cesarean section

To compare the efficacy of intravenous single dose, less costly cefotaxime and more expensive amoxycillin-clavulanic acid combination for prophylaxis at cesarean section.

A double blind randomized controlled trial was undertaken on 760 subjects with two parallel treatment groups. Data were analyzed using Graphpad Instat 3 McIntosh software by Student's t test, Mann-Whitney U test, the Chi-squared test or fisher's exact test.

Comparatively narrow spectrum low cost cefotaxime is as effective as more expensive commonly used amoxicillin-clavulanic acid with no significant difference of infectious morbidity and hospital stay (p = 0.27 and 0.11 in elective and emergency cases respectively).

Less costly cefotaxime should be preferred compared to more costly amoxicillin-clavulanic acid combination for prophylaxis at cesarean section.