Artificial knee and vaginal exams
From: Jane Helwig, MD (jane@helwig.net)
Fri Feb 27 12:38:14 2004
Yesterday a patient came for annual. She had a knee replacement last
year and was given a card telling her to notify her physician or dentist
for antibiotic treatment prior to medical procedures including "vaginal
exams." Accordingly, her primary MD had prescribed an antibiotic which
the patient took before coming in to me for her pelvic exam and Pap
smear.
Do we really need to give antibiotic prophylaxis prior to Pap smears for
patients with artificial joints?
Proceeding quite logically, the patient asked me whether she should take
antibiotics prior to having intercourse.
Anyone know of infection in artificial joint resulting from vaginal exam
or Pap smear?
--
Jane Helwig, MD, FACOG
Private practice, 2 MDs, 1 CNM
Franktown, VA
