Comparison of ceforanide and cephalothin prophylaxis for vaginal hysterectomies.

We compared the safety and efficacy of a six-dose regimen of cephalothin with a two-dose regimen of ceforanide for the prevention of infection after elective vaginal hysterectomy. A total of 150 patients were randomly assigned to either regimen. The overall incidence of documented pelvic infection was 5.3% and did not differ significantly between the prophylaxis groups when stratified by type of surgery. No serious adverse reactions were encountered in either group, but phlebitis was significantly more common in patients receiving cephalothin. We conclude that a two-dose regimen of ceforanide given intramuscularly is as effective as, and possibly better tolerated than, a six-dose regimen of cephalothin.