Incidence of Infectious Morbidity Following Single Dose of Prophylactic Antibiotics In Women Undergoing Elective Cesarean Section

Abstract

Introduction: Cesarean delivery is a major obstetrical surgical
procedure aiming to save the lives of mothers and fetuses.
The incidence of cesarean section varies between 10.0% and
25.0% in most developed countries.1
Material and Methods: 80 cases for elective cesarean section
admitted in ward/labour room of Department of Obstt and
Gynae, SRMSIMS were studied to determine the incidence
of infectious morbidity, i.e., UTI, SSI, puerperal sepsis and
endometritis on different occasions that are immediate
postoperatively, 48 hours post-operative, on discharge (4–5th
day) and upto 6 weeks post-partum.
Preoperative routine blood and urine examination were done
to recruit low-risk patients.
Preoperative part preparation with betadine was done the night
before surgery, followed by intraurethral catheterization with 3
swabs under all aseptic precautions.
Results: There is a relationship between the timing of
administration of prophylactic antibiotics and infectious
morbidity. On comparing demographic factors concerning
infectious morbidity, a statistically significant p-value was
observed with the women's age, parity and BMI.
Conclusion: Single dose of prophylactic antibiotics should
be effective if given within 30 minutes of skin incision in an
elective cesarean section, especially in women with mean age
26.2 ± 4.2 years, low parity and with mean BMI of 24.9±2.4(kg/
m2). The neonatal outcome is not much affected on giving
prophylactic antibiotics before cord clamping. Despite of
prophylactic antibiotics aseptic technique during intraurethral
catheterization and check dressing at 48 hours postoperatively
of the surgical site is the most important factor in preventing
infectious morbidity.