Prophylaxis with Lymecycline in Induced First-trimester Abortion

Abstract

A clinical, controlled trial was performed to study the effect of prophylaxis with lymecycline and the role of C. trachomatis and M. hominis in postabortal genital infection. Of 532 women who were to undergo 1st-trimester abortion, 269 were randomized to treatment with oral lymecycline (300 mg bid), starting 2 days before the abortion and continuing for a total of 7 days; 263 were randomized to placebo treatment. The rate of postabortal infection was 9.3% in the antibiotic group and 9.5% in the placebo group, an insignificant difference (P > 0.8). The presence of C. trachomatis in the cervix/urethra at the time of abortion showed a significant association with the occurrence of postabortal infection (P < 0.005), but there was no correlation between the effect of treatment and the presence of infection (P > 0.4). The presence of M. hominis, a history of pelvic inflammatory disease, maternal age, gestational age, the number of births, spontaneous and induced abortion and the Hegar number showed no significant association with postabortal infection (all P values > 0.05). It is recommended that women who are to undergo induced abortion be examined for the presence of C. trachomatis, and that they be treated, as they constitute a risk group.