title: Cefoxitin for prophylaxis in premenopausal women undergoing vaginal hysterectomy.
abstract: To determine the unbiased incidence and types of postoperative infection and their alteration(s) by antimicrobial prophylaxis, a prospective double-blind study was performed using perioperative intramuscular cefoxitin or placebo given to premenopausal women undergoing vaginal hysterectomy at Parkland Memorial Hospital. The clinical and surgical profiles of the 2 groups of women were similar, but there were marked differences in their postoperative clinical courses. Only 8% of the 50 women given cefoxitin had major postoperative infection, compared to 57% of the 49 women given placebo (P < .001); this was associated with a 2.8-day reduction in the hospital stay for those given cefoxitin (P < .001). No clinically significant side effects were observed.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002440:Cefoxitin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007045:Hysterectomy, Vaginal; D008593:Menopause; D008875:Middle Aged; D010919:Placebos; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011292:Premedication; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: D010919:Placebos; D002440:Cefoxitin