A prospective randomised study of the effects of prophylactic antibiotics on the incidence of bacteraemia following hysteroscopic surgery.
OBJECTIVE
To study the effect of prophylactic antibiotics on the incidence of bacteraemia following hysteroscopic surgery.


METHODS
Prospective randomized study.


METHODS
Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.


METHODS
One hundred and sixteen women about to undergo either endometrial laser ablation (ELA) or transcervical resection of the endometrium (TCRE).


METHODS
Fifty-five women were randomised to receive 1.2 g of Augmentin (co-amoxiclav) i.v. at induction of anaesthesia. Sixty-one women received no antibiotic prophylaxis. Blood cultures were obtained at the end of the surgical procedure.


RESULTS
Incidence of bacteraemia in the non-antibiotic group (16%) was significantly higher than that in the antibiotic group (2%) (95% confidence interval for difference from 5% to 25%). The majority of organisms were of dubious clinical significance and contamination could not be excluded in 7 cases out of 10.


CONCLUSIONS
There is no convincing evidence that antibiotics are of value in this clinical setting.
Bhattacharya
S
S
Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Foresterhill, Scotland, UK.
Parkin
D E
DE
Reid
T M
TM
Abramovich
D R
DR
Mollison
J
J
Kitchener
H C
HC
D000658:Amoxicillin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019980:Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; D019072:Antibiotic Prophylaxis; D016470:Bacteremia / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002969:Clavulanic Acids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004717:Endometrium / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015907:Hysteroscopy; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008595:Menorrhagia / Q000601:surgery; D011446:Prospective Studies
D002969:Clavulanic Acids; D019980:Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; D000658:Amoxicillin