[Follow-up of a procedure of antibiotic prophylaxis in cesarean section].

In order to assess the quality of the treatment given in our department, we studied the use of antibiotic prophylaxis in cases of cesarean section in relation to the implementation of a standard protocol. The records of 606 patients who underwent a cesarean section in 1989 and 1992 were studied retrospectively with regard to risk factors for postoperative infection, antibiotic prophylaxis and infections during hospitalisation. While the use of the antibiotic prophylaxis increased from 1989 to 1992, the number of postoperative infections remained relatively stable, 17% in 1989 and 14% in 1992. 55% of patients who were regarded as candidates for prophylaxis in this study were given antibiotic prophylaxis in 1992 (93 of 169 patients). 49 (53%) of these patients received an antibiotic prophylaxis in accordance with the protocol, whereas 44 (47%) were given other antibiotic regimens. The effect of treatment, as assessed by the number of postoperative infections, remained unchanged, while the use of antibiotic prophylaxis increased in the period after the protocol was implemented. The protocol was not followed as intended.