Prophylactic antibiotics in patients undergoing total vaginal or abdominal hysterectomy

A prospective study to evaluate the effect of antibiotic prophylaxis in 57 patients undergoing total abdominal or vaginal hysterectomy was conducted at Arlington Hospital. Patients were assigned randomly to one of two regimens. Group I received a single 1 gram preoperative dose of Cefotaxime (Claforan). Group II received a 2 gram dose of Cefoxitin (Mefoxin) preoperatively and also four 2 gram doses postoperatively. There was no significant group difference in the incidence of postoperative infection or in the mean duration in hospital stay. One dose of Cefotaxime was as effective as five doses of Cefoxitin in preventing infection.