Single dose versus multiple dose of antibiotic prophylaxis in caesarean section: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND

Prophylactic antibiotics are traditionally given as a single dose for caesarean section. However, inconsistent application of recommendations and recent evidence prompted a literature review.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the optimal regimen for antibiotic prophylaxis in caesarean section by comparing single versus multiple doses of the same intervention.

SEARCH STRATEGY: MEDLINE, Web of Knowledge, SCOPUS, CENTRAL and ongoing trials databases were searched. Reference lists were reviewed and international groups contacted.

SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised controlled trials (RCT) comparing single with multiple dose regimens of the same antibiotic prophylaxis. Quasi-RCT and abstracts were suitable for inclusion.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Reviewers independently extracted data and assessed quality of evidence. A random-effects model was used and results presented as risk ratio (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI).

MAIN

RESULTS

Sixteen studies were included, involving 2695 women. Nonsignificant differences were observed between single dose and multiple dose antibiotic prophylaxis in the incidence of postpartum infectious morbidity (RR 0.95, 95% CI 0.75-1.20, I2 = 25%), endometritis (RR 1.03, 95% CI 0.74-1.42, I2 = 0%) and wound infection (RR 1.22, 95% CI 0.72-2.08, I2 = 0%). A trend towards lower risk of urinary tract infection was seen with multiple dose (RR 0.65, 95% CI 0.34-1.24, I2 = 0%).

CONCLUSIONS

There was insufficient evidence to determine whether there is a difference between single and multiple dose regimens in reducing the incidence of infectious morbidity after caesarean section. The quality of evidence was very low and well-designed RCTs are needed.

TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: Insufficient evidence of difference between dosage regimens of antibiotic prophylaxis in caesarean section.