title: Clue cells in predicting infections after abdominal hysterectomy.
abstract: Seventy women scheduled for abdominal hysterectomy were examined for the presence of clue cells in the vaginal discharge in an attempt to identify a possible risk group for development of postoperative infection. Seven of 20 women (35%) with clue cells developed vaginal cuff infections or wound infections, compared with four of 50 women (8%) without clue cells (P less than .01). Women with bacterial vaginosis, diagnosed by air-dried vaginal smears, are therefore at risk for postoperative infection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Central Hospital, Skövde, Sweden.
authors.forename: P G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Larsson
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Platz-Christensen
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Forsum
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Påhlson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000382:microbiology*; D004847:Epithelial Cells; D004848:Epithelium / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007044:Hysterectomy; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000382:microbiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D014626:Vaginal Smears