Antibiotic prophylactic uterine lavage in cesarean section: a double-blind comparison of saline, ticarcillin, and cefoxitin irrigation in indigent patients

The purpose of this present study was to determine whether intraoperative antibiotic uterine irrigation was effective in reducing febrile morbidity (Part 1), and to determine whether ticarcillin disodium (Ticar) or cefoxitin sodium (Mefoxin) was the more effective solution (Part 2). The indications for cesarean section had an effect on febrile morbidity. In patients having nonelective cesarean section, febrile morbidity was high, occurring in 62.7% of the saline control group and 32.9% of those receiving ticarcillin disodium irrigation. In patients having elective cesarean section, febrile morbidity was lower (28% in the saline control group and 8.3% in the ticarcillin group [P less than or equal to .05]). Ticarcillin and cefoxitin were equal in reducing postoperative febrile morbidity. The use of prophylactic antibiotics, therefore, is indicated both in high-risk patients having nonelective cesarean section and in low-risk patients having elective repeat cesarean section.