Prophylactic ampicillin therapy for vaginal hysterectomy.

Ampicillin was given to a group of 41 patients undergoing vaginal hysterectomy with and without vaginal repairs. This group was compared with 106 patients who received no antibiotic therapy. Retrospective analysis revealed both groups were the same when compared for race, parity, socioeconomic status, blood loss, operator experience and phase of the menstrual cycle. There was significantly less morbidity, infection and serious infections in the antibiotic-treated group than in the control group. In addition, significantly fewer complications of any type, fewer courses of therapeutic antibiotics and fewer readmissions for postoperative complications were noted in the group receiving prophylactic antibiotics. It is suggested that any patient undergoing a procedure which invades the peritoneal cavity by operating through the vagina should be placed on prophylactic antibiotics.