Results Prophylactic antibiotics  prevent inflammatory complications after gynaecological surgery .
Prophylactic antibiotics are more effective in surgery requiring access to the peritoneal cavity or the vagina .
Cefotetan appears to be more capable in preventing the overall inflammatory complication rate than cefoxitin or cefazolin .
No benefit has been shown for the combination of antibiotics as prophylaxis .
No difference has been shown between the long-term and short-term use of antibiotics .
There is no need for the primary use of an anaerobic antibacterial agent .
Conclusion Antibiotics help to prevent postoperative inflammatory complications after major gynecologic surgeries
Purpose The aim of this study was to systematic ally review the literature on antibiotic prophylaxis in gynaecologic surgeries to prevent inflammatory complications after gynaecological operations .
Single-dose prophylaxis in hysterectomies
The efficacy of single-dose prophylaxis with intravenous cefuroxime 1,500 mg plus 500 mg metronidazole in vaginal or abdominal hysterectomies was investigated in a r and omized , double-blind , placebo-controlled study , involving 396 evaluable patients . A significant reduction of the number in urinary tract infections was observed in the groups undergoing abdominal hysterectomy or vaginal hysterectomy with vaginal repair . The incidence of wound infections and the duration of hospitalization were significantly reduced in patients undergoing vaginal hysterectomy with or without vaginal repair .  Body temperature normalized faster in all three groups receiving peri-operative antibiotic prophylaxis . It is concluded that a single injection of antimicrobial prophylaxis is sufficient and useful in both abdominal and vaginal hysterectomies
Results Prophylactic antibiotics  prevent inflammatory complications after gynaecological surgery .
Prophylactic antibiotics are more effective in surgery requiring access to the peritoneal cavity or the vagina .
Cefotetan appears to be more capable in preventing the overall inflammatory complication rate than cefoxitin or cefazolin .
No benefit has been shown for the combination of antibiotics as prophylaxis .
No difference has been shown between the long-term and short-term use of antibiotics .
There is no need for the primary use of an anaerobic antibacterial agent .
Conclusion Antibiotics help to prevent postoperative inflammatory complications after major gynecologic surgeries
Purpose The aim of this study was to systematic ally review the literature on antibiotic prophylaxis in gynaecologic surgeries to prevent inflammatory complications after gynaecological operations .