Comparison of one dose cefazolin versus one dose cefotetan for cesarean section prophylaxis

During one year, 646 women who delivered by cesarean section entered into a prospective randomized clinical trial to determine if a single intraoperative dose of cefazolin was as effective as cefotetan in the prevention of postoperative endomyometritis. Of 336 patients receiving 2 gm cefazolin intravenously at the time of clamping of the cord, endomyometritis developed in 30 (8.91%), and of 310 patients who received 2 gm cefotetan intravenously at the time of clamping of the cord, endomyometritis developed in 36 (11.6%). There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of endomyometritis between the two groups (p = .269). We conclude that since the two drugs are equal in efficacy 2 gm of cefazolin is a cost effective method of prophylaxis for cesarean section.