Publication:

Pre-operative anti-microbial administration for prevention of post-operative infections in patients with open cholecystectomy and laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Background Prophylactic antibiotics are used in many elective surgeries by the surgeons to prevent postoperative wound infections. The present study was done with the aim to find out the efficacy of antibiotics to reduce the bacterial load.

Methods This prospective study was done in KPC Medical College from January 2015-December 2015. A total number of 56 patients with symptomatic gall stone disease were included in the study. Of them, 36 patients underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy (group A) and 20 patients underwent open cholecystectomy (group B). 18 cases who underwent laparoscopic procedure and 10 cases who underwent open procedures were given preoperative antibiotics while the other half did not receive preoperative antibiotics. Postoperative wound infection was analysed by wound swab culture.

Results Female preponderance was seen in the study (M:F-1:7). Majority of them belongs to 21-30years of age. Postoperatively wound infection was seen in 6 cases in group A and in 4 cases in group B and the difference was statistically significant (p<0.05). The positive rate of bacteria by wound swab culture was higher in NPTG cases in both group A (n=7) and group B (n=4) and the difference was statistically significant among two groups. No complications and mortality were reported in the study.

Conclusions This study document that administration of prophylactic antibiotics before cholecystectomy will reduces the incidence of postoperative wound infections.