IMPORTANCE OF PROPHYLACTIC ANTIBIOTICS FOR THE PREVENTION OF SKIN INFECTIONS IN LAPROSCOPIC CHOLECYSTECTOMY

Objective: To compare the frequency of skin infections and skin structure infections in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy without prophylactic and prophylactic antibiotics.

Study design: Randomized controlled trial

Study place and duration: Surgical Unit II, Services Hospital, Lahore for one year duration from July 2016 to July2017.

Methodology: A total of 144 patients randomized to two equal groups; A and B were included. Group A received 1.5g of cefuroxime prophylactically diluted in 10 ml of solution, while receiving a 10 ml of normal saline in group B before anesthesia induction. The frequency of skin and skin structure infection (SSI) was compared in both groups.

Results: Group A (4.1%) 3 patients developed skin infection and skin structure, while group B 2 (2.7%) developed skin infection and skin structure infection. The difference between the two groups was not statistically significant (p = 1,000).

Conclusion: The application of prophylactic antibiotics does not reduce the frequency of skin infections and skin structure infection in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Key words: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy, Prophylactic antibiotics, skin structure infections, Skin infections.