Efficacy of amikacin in septic abortion: serum and urine antibiotic concentrations

Septic abortion is a frequent cause of maternal death in our patient population. The great majority of bacteria isolated were enterobacteria. Since antibiotics capable of destroying the cell wall release endotoxins (reducing vasoconstriction and tissue hypoxia) antibiotics which do not destroy bacteria like amikacin are preferred. Amikacin, 500 mg intramuscularly every twelve hours, was used concomitantly with uterine curettage and fluid and electrolyte restoration in thirty septic abortion patients. All the patients responded, obviating the need for more heroic surgical treatment such as hysterectomy. Previously used antibiotics have not been as effective in our patient population.