Comparison of single dose versus multiple doses of antibiotic prophylaxis in elective caesarian section

ABSTRACT

To compare the efficacy of single dose verses multiple doses of antibiotic [cefotaxime] in the prophylaxis of postoperative wound infection in elective caesarian section. This quasi experimental study was conducted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar from 1[st] January to 31[st] Dec 2007. Hundred patients admitted for elective caesarian section fulfilling selection criteria were included in the study through non probability convenience sampling. These were randomly allocated by card method into 2 groups of 50 each. Patients were operated by specialist registrar and Group A was given single dose of prophylactic antibiotic while group B was given multiple doses. Wound was examined on 2nd and 6[th] day and then after 6 weeks. The efficacy was measured in terms of febrile morbidity; infection and duration of hospital stay. All data were entered in a semi structured proforma. Statistical analysis was carried out by using Chi Square test. Febrile morbidity was equal in both groups [n=10, 20%]. Superficial wound infection was [n=8, 4%] in both groups. Deep wound infection was [n=2, 1%] in group A and [n=4, 2%] in group B and duration of hospital stay was equal in both groups. Nonsurgical site infection occurred in [n=16, 8%] in group A and [n=12, 6%] in group B. There was no significant difference in outcome between the two groups. Single dose antibiotic [cefotaxime] is as effective as multiple doses of antibiotics [cefotaxime] in the prophylaxis of postoperative wound infection in elective caesarian section