title: Comparison of cefotaxime with cefazolin for prophylaxis of vaginal or abdominal hysterectomy.
abstract: One hundred fourteen women undergoing vaginal hysterectomy (n = 63) or abdominal hysterectomy (n = 51) were randomly allocated to one of three groups: regimen 1--cefotaxime perioperatively; regimen 2--cefotaxime perioperatively and for 24 hours postoperatively; or regimen 3--cefazolin perioperatively and for 24 hours postoperatively. Febrile morbidity was evaluated with respect to antibiotics, number of doses, type of procedure, operative time, estimated blood loss, and wound bacteriology. Of the patients who underwent vaginal hysterectomy, febrile morbidity occurred in three of 24 on regimen 1, one of 23 on regimen 2, and zero of 16 on regimen 3. Of those patients who underwent abdominal hysterectomy, febrile morbidity occurred in three of 18 on regimen 1, zero of 19 on regimen 2, and two of 14 on regimen 3. There were no significant differences among regimens in the incidence of febrile morbidity after vaginal or abdominal hysterectomy. Findings indicate, however, that febrile morbidity correlates with the type of procedure rather than with any of the other variables studied. Return of vaginal flora (aerobes, anaerobes, or mixed) was similar with all regimens. Cefotaxime was found to be as effective as cefazolin in reducing febrile morbidity.
mesh_terms: D002437:Cefazolin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002439:Cefotaxime / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007044:Hysterectomy; D007045:Hysterectomy, Vaginal; D011292:Premedication; D014621:Vagina / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D002437:Cefazolin; D002439:Cefotaxime