Antibiotic prophylaxis in abdominal hysterectomy, with special reference to the duration of the prophylaxis.

Two consecutive open studies were performed of the efficacy of a prophylactic cefuroxime/metronidazole combination in abdominal hysterectomy. The first group received a 24-h regimen, the second group a single pre-operative dose. The incidence of post-operative wound infections and urinary tract infections were similar in both groups [wound infections in 1/75 versus 2/84 patients (NS), urinary tract infections 4/75 versus 3/84 patients (NS), respectively, in the 24-h group and single-dose group]. No significant differences in other parameters, such as pyrexia and duration of post-operative hospitalization, could be detected.

Organochlorine pesticide concentrations in perinatal samples from mothers and babies.

Samples were obtained from Dutch mothers and their babies throughout the perinatal period and analyzed by gas-liquid chromatography with electron-capture detection for a range of organochlorine pesticides. Organochlorine concentrations in the blood of breast or bottle-fed babies were not significantly different. Differences in organochlorine concentrations in blood between mothers who had "slimmed" and those who had not were small, but it must be noted that there were few slimming mothers in our sample. Twelve to 21% and 36-61% of the estimated daily intake of dieldrin and DDT, respectively, by mothers may be eliminated by lactation. The placenta restricts the transmission of organochlorine pesticides to the fetus to some extent. The very low concentrations of organochlorine in fetal blood prevented a study of the comparative metabolism in mothers and babies.