Comparative efficacy of two different regimens of antibiotic prophylaxis in total abdominal hysterectomy.

A randomized, prospective study of 44 women undergoing total abdominal hysterectomy was conducted to compare cefuroxime short-term prophylaxis and ampicillin plus oxacillin long-term prophylaxis. Cefuroxime was given peri-operatively for 1 day only, whereas the penicillins were given post-operatively for 5 days. The results showed that both regimens were equally effective in providing prophylaxis. It is suggested, therefore, that the use of antibiotics after the first day of surgery is unnecessary and short-term prophylaxis is preferable because of fewer potential disadvantages.