Role of Single Dose Antibiotic Prophylaxis in Clean General Surgery

Aims and Objectives -This study was performed in a major general hospital to establish the efficacy of antibiotic prophylaxis in clean general surgeries. Materials and Methods -The study was done in 100 cases divided in 2 groups, one of which was given a single dose of ceftriaxone within 2 hours of operative incision without any postoperative antibiotics and the other was given routine postoperative antibiotics. Postoperative evaluation was done for development of fever or wound infection. Observation and Results -Mean age was 35 and 33 in both groups while mean operative time was 45 -53 minutes. Majority of cases performed were of hernioplasty. Various other factors such as length of incision, use of electrocautery and postoperative hospital stay were considered. Incidence of infection in both groups was similar but cost reduction of 88.11% was achieved in the first group. Conclusion -The restriction of antibiotic usage in preoperative period and omission of it in postoperative period didn't result in increase in incidence of surgical site infection. However significant cost reduction is achieved in the cases where preoperative prophylactic antibiotics were used and hence can be advocated in clean general surgeries.