Cefazolin versus cefazolin plus metronidazole for antibiotic prophylaxis at cesarean section.(Original Article)

Southern Medical Journal, October, 2003 by Hosier, Keehn V.; Lipscomb, Gary H.; Meyer, Norman L.; Scott, Kim

Background: Although prophylactic antibiotic medications have been shown to reduce the incidence of postoperative infectious morbidity after cesarean delivery, the most effective regimens have not been established. The purpose of this investigation was to compare the efficacy and costs of prophylaxis with cefazolin alone with cefazolin plus metronidazole.

Methods: Women undergoing cesarean delivery were randomized to prophylaxis with 2 g cefazolin (n = 81) or 1 g cefazolin plus 500 mg metronidazole (n = 79). Postoperative infectious morbidity and the duration of hospitalization in the two groups were compared.

Results: Thirty-seven (23%) of 160 patients developed endomyometritis. There was a significant reduction in the number of postoperative...