[The value of postoperative antibiotic prophylaxis following abdominal and vaginal hysterectomy]

A retrospective study has shown that postoperative infections could not be prevented from occurring after abdominal or vaginal hysterectomy by systematic post-operative antibiotic prophylaxis. The risk was not even substantially reduced. Prophylaxis against infection was found to be best achieved by proper surgical techniques, avoidance of long-time catheterisation, scrupulous observance of hygiene rules, and generous use of suction drainage.