Effect of a single preoperative dose of oral antibiotic to reduce the incidence of surgical site infection following below-knee dermatological flap and graft repair
Journal Publication ResearchOnline@JCUAbstract
Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) rates for below-knee dermatological surgery are unacceptably high, particularly following complex flap and graft closures. The role of antibiotic prophylaxis for these surgical cases is uncertain. Objective: To determine whether SSI following complex dermatological closures on the leg could be reduced by antibiotic prophylaxis administered as a single oral preoperative dose. Methods: A total of 115 participants were randomized to 2 g of oral cephalexin or placebo 40–60 minutes prior to surgical incision in a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial at a primary care skin cancer clinic in North Queensland, Australia. Results: Overall 17/55 (30.9%) controls and 14/55 (25.5%) intervention participants developed infection (P = 0.525). There was no difference between the study groups in adverse symptoms that could be attributed to high-dose antibiotic administration (P = 1). Conclusion: A single oral 2-g dose of cephalexin given before complex below-knee dermatological closure did not reduce SSI.
Journal
Dermatology Practical & Conceptual
Publication Name
N/A
Volume
9
ISBN/ISSN
2160-9381
Edition
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Issue
1
Pages Count
8
Location
N/A
Publisher
Derm101
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Publisher Location
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Publish Date
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Url
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Date
N/A
EISSN
N/A
DOI
10.5826/dpc.0901a08