Metronidazole in the prophylaxis of anaerobic infections in gynaecological surgery: a trial.

Flagyl (metronidazole) was evaluated in the prophylaxis and treatment of patients undergoing gynaecological surgery. One hundred patients were studied: 50 of these patients received prophylactic metronidazole and 50 received matching placebos. Eight percent of metronidazole treated patients developed wound infections which was less than half the number of untreated patients, 18 percent of whom developed wound infection. No anaerobic infections were seen in Flagyl treated patients whereas four (8 percent) were seen in placebo patients.