[Short-term prevention with cefoxitin in cesarean section]

In a preliminary prospective study, the febrile morbidity of 60 patients after Caesarean section was determined to investigate the prophylactic effect of a single-dose cefoxitin-application (2 g) intravenously at the time of induction of anaesthesia. Patients were randomly assigned to either the cefoxitin group or a control group without the antibiotic. Each group consisted of 30 patients. Although the numbers of patients were small, a statistically significant reduction (p less than 0.05) of febrile days was found for the cefoxitin group. As compared to previous studies with a three-dose regimen of cefoxitin, the per cent reduction rate of febrile morbidity was similar. In cases with certain risk profiles, such as premature rupture of the membranes or prolonged delivery, a single-dose appears to suffice and is therefore indicated.