Effect of prophylactic administration of sulbactam/ampicillin on the rate of postoperative endometritis after first-trimester abortion.

In a single-blind randomized study, the efficacy of a single intravenous dose of sulbactam (0.5 g) plus ampicillin (1 g) was compared with that of placebo in the prophylaxis of early postoperative endometritis after abortion with vacuum aspiration in the first trimester. Administration of either sulbactam/ampicillin or placebo occurred immediately before the operation. The two treatment groups were equally matched with respect to patient's age, gestational age, presence of an intrauterine device, and baseline bacteriologic findings. During the first seven postoperative days, four of 145 patients who had received sulbactam/ampicillin and 11 of 140 patients who had received placebo were diagnosed as having endometritis. No adverse effects and no laboratory test abnormalities attributable to treatment were reported in either group. A single dose of sulbactam/ampicillin reduced the incidence of early postoperative endometritis after abortion with vacuum aspiration in the first trimester.