title: Heparin therapy in postcesarean septic pelvic thrombophlebitis.
abstract: Eleven cases of septic pelvic thrombophlebitis and persistant fever following cesarean section and cesarean hysterectomy are presented. Addition of heparin to the antibiotic regimen of these patients produced a clinical response within 1--5 days, except in two patients who developed septic pulmonary emboli, which finally resolved with continued heparin therapy. An incidental finding was a high incidence of pelvic thrombophlebitis following hypogastric artery ligation. The results justify a trial of heparin therapy, before resorting to exploratory laparotomy, in postpelvic surgery patients who have unexplained fever.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006493:Heparin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D010388:Pelvis; D011247:Pregnancy; D013924:Thrombophlebitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D006493:Heparin