Antibiotic prophylaxis reduces infection risk after surgery for incomplete abortion: BJOG

Researchers have investigated the effect of prophylactic antibiotics in preventing GTI associated with surgical procedures used for incomplete abortions. However, findings from these reports have been conflicting. Some reported a decrease in infection associated with the use of antibiotic prophylaxis, while others found no significant reduction in GTI

In this context, Nazmul Islam and team carried out a study aimed to update the evidence on the efficacy of prophylactic antibiotics compared to placebo on GTI in women undergoing surgical procedure for incomplete abortion in low-middle and high income countries.

In February 2020, PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Central for Register of Controlled Trials were searched for relevant published randomized controlled trials. Selection criteria included Randomized controlled trials reporting GTI following surgical procedures for incomplete abortion and comparing antibiotic prophylaxis against placebo. Meta-analysis using inverse variance heterogeneity model included a-priori determined subgroup and sensitivity analyses were conducted. The quality of evidence was assessed using GRADE.

• A total of 16,178 women who participated in 24 eligible randomized controlled trials published between 1975 and 2019 were included.

• Pooled estimates showed the risk of GTI following surgical procedures after incomplete abortion was significantly lower among those who had prophylactic antibiotics (RR=0.72; 95%CI 0.58-0.90; I2=49%).

• There was no significant effect of antibiotics in women in low and middle income countries (3 studies, 3,579 participants, RR= 0.90; 95%CI 0.50-1.62), while it was clinically and statistically significant among women high income countries (21 studies, 12,599 participants, RR=0.67; 95%CI 0.53-0.84), with strong level of evidence as assessed by GRADE.

• Additional subgroup analyses by the type of antibiotics and route of administration showed that pooled estimates remained largely unchanged. When sharp curettage instruments were used, the effect of prophylactic antibiotics (RR 0.17; 95% CI 0.07-0.42) was significantly higher in reducing GTI compared to blunt curettage.

• With respect to adverse events, although the study did not find evidence of an increased risk of nausea and vomiting associated with antibiotic use, it is plausible that antibiotic use could be associated with other gastrointestinal symptoms, such as abdominal pain. However, the benefits of reducing the risk of GTI were likely to outweigh the costs of adverse events such as nausea and vomiting, which are self-limiting.

A relative risk reduction of 33% was associated with prophylactic antibiotic use among women in high income countries, with the quality of evidence assessed to be high. This has important implications for clinical practice as current guidelines provide mixed messages on the use of prophylactic antibiotics.

This study provides evidence that antibiotic prophylaxis is beneficial in reducing GTI among women undergoing surgery for incomplete abortion in high income countries. Further well-designed RCTs are needed from low and middle income countries.

https://doi.org/10.1111/1471-0528.16637