RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this comparative study was to ascertain the efficacy of the Sulmycin® Implant E, an antiseptic sponge, on the incidence of peri- and postoperative morbidity in patients subjected to vaginal hysterectomy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This eleven-year study included 228 patients undergoing vaginal hysterectomy. The patients were divided into two groups. Group A included 169 participants with benign diseases (fibroids, dysfunctional uterine bleeding and prolapse) and group B included 59 patients with early stage endometrial cancer or atypical hyperplasia. Women of both groups were further divided into three subgroups: (a) receiving a single dose of intravenous cefuroxime (2 gr) (group A: 55, group B: 19), (b) receiving three doses of intravenous cefuroxime (2 gr) (group A: 54, group B: 19), and (c) locally placed a collagen sponge containing gentamycin (Sulmycin® Implant E) (group A: 60, group B: 21). RESULTS: The number of postoperative infections (mainly urinary tract infections) did not differ between women of the three subgroups of patients in both groups. There were no important differences affecting the postoperative hospitalization, healing procedure and adhesion of the cuff between women of the three subgroups in both groups. CONCLUSION: The local chemoprophylaxis with Sulmycin® Implant E, a collagen sponge containing gentamycin and placed on the vaginal cuff, is well tolerated and equally effective as intravenous antibiotics.