Randomized, double-blind study of cefotetan and cefoxitin in post-cesarean section endometritis

Objective: The hypothesis of the study is that cefotetan and cefoxitin will be equally efficacious and safe in the treatment of post-cesarean section endometritis. Study design: In a double-blind, randomized manner 140 patients with post-cesarean section endometritis were treated with cefotetan, 2 gm intravenously every 12 hours, or cefoxitin, 2 gm intravenously every 6 hours. They were followed prospectively for clinical response and side effects. Cure rates between the two groups were compared with the χ 2 test. Results: The cure rates were 83% for cefotetan and 79% for cefoxitin ( p = 0.56). No patient required a change in therapy due to adverse effects, and no abnormal bleeding occurred. Conclusions: In this study cefotetan and cefoxitin appeared equally effective in treating endometritis with no difference in side effects or complications.