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Antibiotic prophylaxis for gynecologic surgery has become a widely accepted practice to reduce post-surgical infections, which can lengthen hospital stay, worsen pain, prolong recovery, and lead to other complications. Recommendations for using antibiotic prophylaxis have been developed by many hospitals, accrediting bodies, and national organizations. Patients are becoming increasingly aware of postoperative infections and their consequences, and some complications, including urinary tract infection, are being evaluated as quality markers and qualifiers for payment by insurers and governmental agencies. Hospital-specific infection information is available in some regions through a simple Internet search. Still, compliance with national guidelines is variable and may be influenced by local hospital policies.1 While prophylaxis generally is thought to be safe, unnecessary administration of antibiotics is undesirable; more doses or more powerful antibiotics are not always better. An appreciation of some of the nuances of prophylaxis is desirable to improve patient care and safety.
1. Know what to use and when to use it
Follow ACOG and/or SCIP guidelines
ACOG Committee on Practice Bulletins—Gynecology. ACOG practice bulletin No. 104: antibiotic prophylaxis for gynecologic procedures. Obstet Gynecol. 2009;113(5):1180-1189.
Bratzler DW, Hynt DR. The surgical infection prevention and surgical care improvements projects: national initiatives to improve outcomes for patients having surgery. Clin Infect Dis. 2006;43(3):322-330.
No prophylaxis is needed for laparoscopy (without hysterectomy), laparotomy (without hysterectomy), hysteroscopy, intrauterine device insertion, endometrial biopsy, or urodynamics. Antibiotic agents recommended for prophylaxis for hysterectomy performed via any route include cefazolin (supported by ACOG) and cefotetan, cefoxitin, cefuroxime, or ampicillin/ sulbactam (recommended by Surgical Care Improvement Project guidelines) (TABLE). Alternative agents are available for patients with a true penicillin allergy.
Antibiotic prophylaxis recommendations for hysterectomy
| ACOG | 1. Cefazolin* If history of immediate hypersensitivity to penicillin: 2. Clindamycin + gentamicin or quinolone† or aztreonam 3. Metronidazole + gentamicin or quinolone† |
| SCIP | 1. Cefotetan, cefazolin, cefoxitin, cefuroxime, or ampicillin/sulbactam If allergy: 2. Clindamycin + aminoglycoside or quinolone or aztreonam 3. Metronidazole + aminoglycoside or quinolone |
| SCIP = Surgical Care Improvement Project *Acceptable alternatives include cefotetan, cefoxitin, cefuroxime, or ampicillin/sulbactam †Ciprofloxacin or levofloxacin or moxifloxacin | |
2. Increase the dose when needed
Double the antibiotic dose for patients weighing more than 220 lb or with a body mass index
greater than 35 kg/m2
Forse RA, Karam B, MacLean LD, Christou NV. Antibiotic prophylaxis for surgery in morbidly obese patients. Surgery. 1989;106(4):750–756.
In a study of morbidly obese patients undergoing gastroplasty, 2 g of cefazolin administered intravenously at the start of surgery was shown to reduce the risk of infection more than a 1-g dose. For true penicillin-allergic patients, weight-based gentamicin dosing (1.5 mg/kg) should provide adequate serum levels of the drug.
3. Repeat the dose when needed
Repeat the dose if surgery is long or involves a significant blood loss
ACOG Committee on Practice Bulletins—Gynecology. ACOG practice bulletin No. 104: antibiotic prophylaxis for gynecologic procedures. Obstet Gynecol. 2009;113(5):1180–1189.
Ho VP, Nicolau DP, Dakin GF, et al. Cefazolin dosing for surgical prophylaxis in morbidly obese patients. Surg Infect (Larchmt). 2012;13(1):33–37.
Give the first dose of antibiotic within an hour of the start of surgery, such as at the time of anesthesia induction. To maintain adequate levels throughout surgery, repeat dosing about 3 hours later for cefazolin or 2 hours after cefoxitin (1 to 2 times the half-life of the drug). Gentamicin likely does not need redosing for length of surgery, and clindamycin should be repeated at about 6 hours. If blood loss exceeds 1500 mL, redosing of the antibiotic will maintain adequate serum levels. As blood transfusion has been associated with surgical site infections, meticulous hemostasis is paramount.
4. Get the Foley catheter out ASAP
Remove it even in the operating room, to decrease the risk of UTI
Alessandri F, Mistrangelo E, Lijoi D, Ferrero S, Ragni N. A prospective, randomized trial comparing immediate versus delayed catheter removal following hysterectomy. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2006;85(6):716–720.
While there is a risk of recatheterization, removal of the catheter in the operating room will reduce the risk of postsurgical urinary tract infection.
5. Target the flora
Understand the flora that can cause infections and use a narrow-spectrum antibiotic
ACOG Committee on Practice Bulletins—Gynecology. ACOG practice bulletin No. 104: antibiotic prophylaxis for gynecologic procedures. Obstet Gynecol. 2009;113(5):1180–1189.
For procedures involving the vagina, either directly or following removal of the uterus, possible organisms include aerobic Gram-positive cocci (staphylococci), fecal flora (anaerobic bacteria or Gram-negative aerobes), and other flora that can result in bacterial vaginosis. For surgeries where the vagina is not involved, such as laparotomy or laparoscopy, the concern mainly is related to skin flora. Cephalosporins are effective against these organisms and have a low rate of adverse reactions.