title: Prophylactic metronidazole or suction drainage in abdominal hysterectomy.
abstract: The efficacy of a two-dose perioperative course of oral metronidazole or suction drainage of the vaginal vault was evaluated in a randomized study of 150 patients undergoing abdominal hysterectomy. Patients receiving metronidazole demonstrated a significant reduction in febrile morbidity (from 48 to 8%), infectious morbidity (from 46 to 16%), urinary tract infections (from 30 to 10%), and pelvic and/or abdominal wound infections (from 18 to 2%). The patients managed with suction drainage showed a marked reduction in febrile and infectious morbidity; however, this reduction was not significant. Overall, 17% of all specific postoperative infections were first diagnosed after discharge from the hospital. No adverse side effects of metronidazole were encountered.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D005334:Fever / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D007044:Hysterectomy; D008795:Metronidazole / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011292:Premedication; D011300:Preoperative Care; D011897:Random Allocation; D013396:Suction; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000517:prevention & control; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D008795:Metronidazole