[Puerperal endometritis: study of 52 clinically and microbiologically diagnosed cases].

BACKGROUND

To know the epidemiologic features, clinical manifestations and etiology of puerperal endometritis in our environment in addition to the use of endometrial cultures in the microbiologic diagnosis of this infection.

METHODS

A retrospective study of 52 cases of puerperal endometritis, clinically and microbiologically diagnosed over a 4-year period.

RESULTS

Fifty percent of patients had undergone a cesarean, 36.5% presented puerperal anemia and 23% presented upper amniorrhexis at 12 hours. All the patients presented puerperal fever greater than 38 degrees C, 46% uterine subinvolution and 24% fetid lochia. The most frequently isolated microorganisms in the endometrial aspirate were Escherichia coli, Streptococcus agalactiae and Bacteroides spp. The association of ampicillin plus cefoxitine and clindamycin plus tobramycin presented in vitro efficacy in more than 85% of the isolates.

CONCLUSIONS

The practice of endometrial aspirate and blood cultures in patients suspected of having puerperal endometritis effectively contributes to the diagnosis and treatment of this infection.