Antibiotic prophylaxis for radical abdominal hysterectomy

Records of 35 patients with cervical cancer Stage IB operated with radical abdominal hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy were surveyed retrospectively for incidence of febrile morbidity and site-related infections. Febrile morbidity was observed in 6 patients (17%). No surgical site-related infections were observed. It is concluded that radical abdominal hysterectomy in our hospital does not carry any significant risk of postoperative site-related infections and that prophylactic antibiotics cannot be recommended.