Comparison of short and long courses of ampicillin for vaginal hysterectomy

Administering perioperative antibiotic to reduce the morbidity associated with vaginal hysterectomy has become well accepted. Although both short and long courses of antibiotics are effective, the optimal length of treatment has not been well established by clinical studies. Our prospective study compared two groups of patients, one receiving a short course and the other a long course of ampicillin. Patients having vaginal hysterectomy were randomly assigned to the short or long course. Febrile morbidity, as well as serious morbidity and hospital stays, in the two groups was compared. Of 212 patients receiving the short course, 21 had febrile morbidity, while 14 of 215 patients receiving the long course had febrile morbidity. These rates were not significantly different. Furthermore, serious morbidity and length of hospital stay were not significantly different.