[Perioperative chemoprevention with metronidazole in cesarean section]

96 caesarean section patients received 2.5 g of metronidazole rectally to prevent infection 6 or more hours after rupture of membranes. The treatment was continued until 30 hours after operation. The febrile morbidity rate was 34.3% in spite of prophylaxis. We conclude that this form of prophylaxis is not appropriate for high-risk caesarean sections.