PROPHYLAXIS OF MINOR FEBRILE AND MAJOR INFECTIOUS MORBIDITY FOLLOWING HYSTERECTOMY

  • 1 January 1979
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 54  (3) , 284-288
Abstract
A retrospective analysis was conducted of 668 consecutive cases using T-tube suction drainage and/or prophylactic antibiotics as infection prophylaxis for hysterectomy. The data are analyzed for the incidence of minor febrile morbidity (temperature > 100.4 for 2 days) and for major infection (hospital stay more than 14 days, reoperation or readmission for the management of pelvic abcess or pelvic thrombophlebitis). A minor febrile and major infection group are compared with a non-infected group by measuring parameters of patient discomfort, medical staff effort and cost. Minor febrile morbidity frequently follows abdominal (20-30%) and vaginal (30-50%) hysterectomy and has temporary but significant consequences in the form of increased patient discomfort, medical staff effort and cost. Major infections are rare following abdominal hysterectomy (< 0.5%) and uncommon following vaginal hysterectomy (1-4%). Suction drainage used alone, prophylactic antibiotics used alone or a combination of suction drainage and antibiotic prophylaxis are each associated with a statistically significant reduction in the incidence of minor febrile morbidity following abdominal and vaginal hysterectomy (P = < 0.01). Such infection prophylaxis may reduce the incidence of major infection following vaginal hysterectomy.

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