Reduction of post-cesarean section infectious morbidity by means of antibiotic irrigation.

The effectiveness of antibiotic irrigation in reducing post-cesarean section infectious morbidity was studied in a prospective, randomized, double-blind trial. One hundred twenty-eight patients were divided into three groups and irrigated with either cefoxitin solution, cephapirin solution, or saline. Following delivery of the placenta, the uterine cavity and incision, bladder flap, pelvic gutters, and subcutaneous tissue of the patients were irrigated. There was a significant reduction in total infectious morbidity (p less than 0.02) and wound infection (p less than 0.04) when antibiotic use was compared to the saline control. No statistical difference in the effectiveness of the two antibiotics could be demonstrated. No adverse effects were noted. Antibiotic irrigation is a safe and effective method in reducing infectious morbidity of the parturient patient.