Effects of prophylactic antibiotics on wound infection in elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Introduction: Wound infection is one of the most common complications of surgical procedures. At present, different procedures are used to reduce wound infection including prophylactic antibiotics. Since laparoscopy controls the most sources of wound infection such as mechanical factors, the role of prophylactic antibiotic therapy may be in doubt. In this study, we evaluated the antibiotic effects in prevention of wound infection in laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Methods and Materials: In this double-blind clinical trial study, patients who were candidate for laparoscopic cholecystectomy were divided randomly into two groups: antibiotic receivers (38 patients) and placebo (Normal Saline) receivers (32 patients) group. The patients were visited in 24 hours, 4-7, 10-15 and 30 days after surgery for wound infection and then 2 groups compared. Results: The study showed that there were no significant differences between two groups with respect to age, body mass index and smoking. In addition, no wound infection was observed in first 24 hours, 4-7, 10-15 and 30 days after operation in both groups. Conclusion: The findings showed that prophylactic antibiotic therapy in laparoscopic cholecystectomy has no effect on the incidence of wound infection. Therefore, it is suggested that prophylactic antibiotic therapy does not use in laparoscopic cholecystectomy because of producing antibiotic resistance, unnecessary complications and also reducing economical costs