A Comparative Study of Single Dose and Multiple Dose Antibiotic Prophylaxis In Caesarean Section

Abstract

Background: Rampant antibiotic use brought about its own set of problems like the rise in incidence of antibiotic resistant strains, allergies and other complications of antibiotic use. Unfortunately in many of our set ups we are still stuck in prolonged post-operative antibiotic regimes. This study aims to fill that lacunae and thereby aid our gradual shift away from over reliance on prolonged antibiotic usage in prevention of SSI. Hence we decided to investigate the efficacy of the use of a single prophylactic intravenous dose of antibiotic vis a vis multiple doses in reducing post-operative infective morbidity in caesarean sections. Methods: The study included 200 patients at term, satisfying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, reporting to the labour room and undergoing caesarean section. The patients were then divided into two groups of 100 each by simple randomization. Patients in Group A were given a single dose of Inj. Cefotaxime 1gm IV + Inj. Metronidazole 500 mg IV infusion 30 minutes before the skin incision. Group B cases were given the first dose of Inj. cefotaxime 1g IV + Inj. metronidazole 500 mg IV 30 minutes before the skin incision followed by injectables for 2 days: Inj. cefotaxime 1g IV BD and Inj. metronidazole 500mg IV TDS. Subsequently for the next 3 days Tablet Cefixime 200mg BD and Tablet Metronidazole 400mg TDS were administered orally. Results:  The present study did not show any significant difference in the post operative infection incidence between the single dose and multiple dose schedule. Conclusion: our study makes an important observation regarding use of antibiotic prophylaxis and its duration for prevention of post operative infections in mothers without compromising any safety aspects of either the mother or the child.  As noted in our study, there was no difference in the outcome as regards post operative infectious morbidity in patients of both the groups. Hence, based on the findings of our study we conclude that single dose prophylactic antibiotic should be the norm for caesarean sections.