Do routine antibiotics after loop diathermy excision reduce morbidity?

Objective To evaluate whether routinely giving an antibiotic after loop diathermy excision of the cervical transformation zone reduced post-operative vaginal loss. Design Prospective, randomised, double-blind placebo controlled parallel study. Participants Five hundred women undergoing loop diathermy excision in a colposcopy clinic. Intervention Administration of either ofloxacin 400 mg (2x200 mg) once daily for 5 days or an identical placebo. Main outcome measure Vaginal loss, assessed using a pictorial chart. Results No significant difference in post-operative vaginal loss was found. Conclusion Routine antibiotic prophylaxis after loop diathermy excision is not justified.