Comparison of prophylactic versus regular use of antibiotics in caesarean section

Authors

  • Umesh Maruti Jirange Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, MNR Medical College and Hospital, Sangareddy, Telangana, India
  • Y. Sneha Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, MNR Medical College and Hospital, Sangareddy, Telangana, India
  • P. P. S. Mallika Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, MNR Medical College and Hospital, Sangareddy, Telangana, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2320-1770.ijrcog20260176

Keywords:

Antibiotic prophylaxis, Surgical site infection, Single drug, Infectious complications, Caesarean delivery

Abstract

Background: Surgical site wound infections and associated complications after caesarean delivery are important causes of maternal morbidity, increased duration of hospital stay and cost of treatment. Prophylactic antibiotic usage decreases the risk of these wound infections. Because of variations in patient profiles and a lack of knowledge regarding asepsis, clinicians are reluctant to implement the recommended single-dose preoperative antibiotic prophylaxis.

Methods: This was a prospective study involving 200 women undergoing caesarean delivery at obstetrics and gynecology department of MNR Medical College and Hospital, Fasalwadi, Sangareddy, tertiary care centre. Eligible participants were divided into two groups. Group A received single dose antibiotic prophylaxis of ceftriaxone 1 gm intravenously 30-40 minutes before caesarean section and group B received cefotaxime 1 gm +sulbactam 500 mg 30-40 minutes before the caesarean, followed by cefotaxime+sulbactam and ornidazole intravenously for the first 3 post-operative days followed by oral cefixime for the next 5 days. Postoperatively, both groups of patients were followed up for febrile morbidity, UTI, wound infection, vaginal infection. These parameters were compared across the two groups.

Results: There were 100 patients in each group. Baseline characteristics, indications for caesarean delivery, operative duration and difficulties were similar. Post-operative morbidities like fever did differ significantly, UTI, wound infection, vaginal infection did not differ significantly. Few of the women needed prolongation of hospital stay.

Conclusions: Preoperative prophylactic antibiotic regimen was as effective as regular antibiotic regimen prophylaxis for routine caesarean delivery. Judicious use of limited antibiotics should be encouraged to decrease antibiotic resistance, with the added benefit of being economical.

Metrics

Metrics Loading ...

References

Daniel CN, Singh S. Cesarean delivery: an experience from a tertiary institution in north western Nigeria. Niger J Clin Pract. 2016;19(1):18-24. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4103/1119-3077.164350

Hema KR. Cesarean section. In: Decherney AH, Nathan LN, Lauper N, eds. Current diagnosis and treatment: obstetrics and gynecology. Vol. 20. 11th edn. New York: McGraw Hill; 2013:356-378.

Westen EH, Kolk PR, van Velzen CL, Unkels R, Mmuni NS, Hamisi AD, et al. Single-dose compared with multiple day antibiotic prophylaxis for cesarean section in low-resource settings, a randomized controlled, noninferiority trial. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2015;94:43-9. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/aogs.12517

Schulze G. Prophylactic antibiotics in cesarean section. Zentral blatt Für Gynäkol. 1980;102(12):659-63.

Rouzi AA, Khalifa F, Ba’aqeel H. The routine use of cefazoline in cesarean section. Int J Obst Gynecol. 2000;69:107-12. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0020-7292(99)00225-8

Kristensen GB, Beiter EC, Mather O. Single dose antibiotic prophylaxis is non elective cesarean section. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 1990;69(6):497-500. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3109/00016349009013325

Bagratee JS, Moodley J, Kleinschmidt I, Zawilski W. A randomized trial of antibiotic prophylaxis in elective cesarean delivery BJOJ. 2001;108(2):143-8. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1471-0528.2001.00042.x

Batra S, Anjali T, Nari S. Poonam. Prophylactic antibiotics in Gynae Major surgery. J Obstet Gynecol India. 1994;44(3).

Swamy MK, Nivadita AK. Comparative study of short term versus long term prophylaxis in obstetrics and Gynaec major surgery. J Obstet Gynecol India. 1999;49(1).

Huam SH, Lim JM, Raman S. Single dose antibiotic prophylaxis in women undergoing elective cesarean section. Med J Malaysia. 1997;52(1):3-7.

Ahmed NJ, Haseeb A, AlQarni A, AlGethamy M, Mahrous AJ, Alshehri AM, et al. Antibiotics for preventing infection at the surgical site: single dose vs. multiple doses. Saudi Pharm J. 2023;31(12):101800. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsps.2023.101800

Igwemadu GT, Eleje GU, Eno EE, Akunaeziri UA, Afolabi FA, Alao AI, et al. Single-dose versus multiple-dose antibiotics prophylaxis for preventing cesarean section postpartum infections: a randomized controlled trial. Women’s Health. 2022;18:17455057221101071. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/17455057221101071

Downloads

Published

2026-01-29

How to Cite

Jirange, U. M., Sneha, Y., & Mallika, P. P. S. (2026). Comparison of prophylactic versus regular use of antibiotics in caesarean section. International Journal of Reproduction, Contraception, Obstetrics and Gynecology, 15(2), 570–573. https://doi.org/10.18203/2320-1770.ijrcog20260176

Issue

Section

Original Research Articles