Role of single dose prophylactic antibiotic in elective caesarean section

Abstract

Background: Maternal morbidity related to infection after caesarean section has been reported to be higher than that of vaginal delivery. The prevention of infection in patients undergoing caesarean section is a major challenge, particularly in hospitals, where there is frequent chance of cross infection due to overcrowding. Objective: The present study was undertaken to see the efficacy of single dose cetriaxone as a prophylaxis in elective caesarean section to prevent postop­erative infection. Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted on 100 patients who underwent elective caesarean section where single dose of Ceftriaxone was used as prophylaxis in the Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Bang­abandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University Hospital, between January to June 2010. The outcomes measures were post­operative febrile morbidity, wound infe-ction and other infections (urinary tract infection, chest infection). Data were analysed using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 11.5. Results: Over one-third (38%) patients age group was between 18 -25 years, 56% in between 25 -35 years and 6% were over 35 years old. Nearly half(46%) was anemic (haemoglobin60 minutes) and prolonged hospital stay (>1 week) were found to be significantly assocated with postoperative complications. Conclusion: The present study suggests that single dose prophylactic antibiotic ceftriaxone given 1 hour before operation in patients with cesarean section deliveries reduces the chance of postoperative infection to a bare minimum.

Keywords

• Antibiotic
• Caesarean section
• Prophylactic