Antibiotic prophylaxis in patients undergoing open mesh repair of inguinal hernia: A meta-analysis

Abstract

The use of antibiotic prophylaxis in hernia repair is still under debate. The aim of this metaanalysis was to assess the effect of antibiotic prophylaxis in patients undergoing open mesh repair of inguinal hernia with respect to incidence of postoperative surgical site infection (SSI). A literature search was conducted in databases ofMEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. Study selection, data extraction, quality assessment, and meta-analysis were conducted according to the recommendations by Cochrane collaboration. Nine randomized controlled trials were included. Incidence of surgical site infection was 39/1642 (2.38%) in the antibiotic group and 70/1676 (4.18%) in the control group. Antibiotics showed a protective effect in preventing SSI after mesh inguinal hernia repair (odds ratio: 0.61, 95% confidence interval: 0.40-0.92, I 2: 0%). Antibiotic prophylaxis did reduce the incidence of SSI in hernia patients undergoing mesh hernioplasty. The cost effectiveness of antibiotic prophylaxis needs further evaluation.