A comparison of postoperative morbidity following prophylactic antibiotic administration by combined irrigation and intravenous route or by intravenous route alone during cesarean section.

This study compared the efficacy of a single intravenous dose of Cefazolin alone or combined with an antibiotic containing preclosure-irrigation solution in patients undergoing cesarean section. A total of 308 patients were prospectively assigned to two groups by randomization. Group I received two grams of Cefazolin IV and abdomino-peritoneal irrigation with saline. Group II received one gram of Cefazolin IV and one gram in the saline irrigation solution. The rate of total postoperative morbidity was 2.3 times higher in Group I compared to Group II (16/154 or 10.4% vs 7/154 or 4.5%) and morbidity at the operative site was six times higher (13/154 or 8.4% vs 2/154 or 1.3%).