Single dose metronidazole prophylaxis in gynaecological surgery.

A double blind study of 200 patients was undertaken to evaluate the prophylactic effect of 2g metronidazole rectal suppositories given prior to major gynaecological surgery. The patients receiving metronidazole were found to have a significant reduction in the quantity of postoperative pyrexia as assessed by the fever index. Metronidazole prophylaxis was associated with a dramatic reduction from 18 percent to 1 percent of major postoperative wound and pelvic infections. Four patients in the study developed proven Bacteroides infections, all were in the placebo group.