In elective cesarean section, administration of prophylactic antibiotics at which time point provides the greatest reduction in postoperative endometritis?

• A Only after intraoperative culture results are available
• B Immediately after umbilical cord clamping only
• C Six hours after surgery
• D Within 60 minutes before skin incision ✓

Explanation

Cochrane reviews and subsequent trials show that antibiotic prophylaxis given before skin incision significantly lowers endometritis compared with dosing after cord clamping, without harm to the neonate, and it is now standard practice. Waiting for cultures delays tissue levels beyond bacterial contamination, and postoperative-only dosing misses the critical window during surgical contamination.

Reference: Williams Obstetrics, 26th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.