Antibiotic prophylaxis in cesarean section.
BACKGROUND
To investigate the guidelines for patient selection and drug regimens for application of antibiotic prophylaxis in relation to cesarean section in the maternity clinics in Denmark.


METHODS
A questionnaire to all the Danish maternity clinics that perform cesarean section, concerning indications for application of antibiotic prophylaxis and antibiotic regimens to patients undergoing acute and elective cesarean section.


RESULTS
All departments (n = 48) returned the questionnaire. Twenty departments (46%) provided written guidelines for antibiotic prophylaxis. Four departments (8%) used antibiotic prophylaxis to elective cesarean sections, 25 departments (52%) applied antibiotics to all emergency sections. In the presence of the rupture of membranes or prolongation of labor (> 12 hrs) 58% and 63% of the departments applied antibiotic prophylaxis, respectively. The most infrequent first choice drug was cefuroxim, employed by 27 departments (56%). Concerning timing, 21 departments (44%) applied antibiotics after cord clamping and 13 departments (27%) before incision.


CONCLUSIONS
We propose a nation-wide prospective investigation on the rate of infections associated with cesarean section to set up rational guidelines for antibiotic prophylaxis.
Pedersen
T K
TK
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sønderborg Hospital, Denmark.
Blaakaer
J
J
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002585:Cesarean Section; D003718:Denmark; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures; D005260:Female; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006801:Humans; D009775:Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Hospital; D018579:Patient Selection; D011247:Pregnancy; D011300:Preoperative Care; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents