COMPARISON OF SINGLE DOSE VERSUS MULTIPLE DOSES OF ANITIBIOTIC PROPHYLAXIS IN ELECTIVE CAESARIAN SECTION

Objective: To compare the efficacy of single dose verses multiple doses of antibiotic (cefotaxime) in the prophylaxis of postoperative wound infection in elective caesarian section. Methodology This quasi experimental study was conducted in the Department of Obstetrics Gynecology, Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar from 1st January to 31st Dec 2007. Hundred patients admitted for elective caesarian section fulfilling selection criteria were included in the study through non probability convenience sampling. These were randomly allocated by card method into 2 groups of 50 each. Patients were operated by specialist registrar and Group A was given single dose of prophylactic antibiotic while group B was given multiple doses. Wound was examined on 2nd and 6th day and then after 6 weeks. The efficacy was measured in terms of febrile morbidity; infection and duration of hospital stay. All data were entered in a semi structured proforma. Statistical analysis was carried out by using Chi Square test. Results: Febrile morbidity was equal in both groups (n=10, 20%). Superficial wound infection was (n=8, 4%) in both groups. Deep wound infection was (n=2, 1%) in group A and (n=4, 2%) in group B and duration of hospital stay was equal in both groups. Nonsurgical site infection occurred in (n=16, 8%) in group A and (n=12, 6%) in group B. There was no significant difference in outcome between the two groups. Conclusion: Single dose antibiotic (cefotaxime) is as effective as multiple doses of antibiotics (cefotaxime) in the prophylaxis of postoperative wound infection in elective caesarian section.