The efficacy of antibiotic prophylaxis in preventing SSI (surgical site infection) in patients undergoing Lichenstein’s hernioplasty at our tertiary care centre

Abstract

Background: Inguinal hernia surgery is the commonest surgery performed worldwide. Lichtenstein tension free repair using polypropylene mesh is the gold standard procedure for inguinal hernioplasty. Wound infection is the most common complication encountered in inguinal hernia surgery. Antibiotic prophylaxis for open inguinal hernioplasty in minimizing wound infection has been a subject of debate since the beginning of mesh repair.Methods: This study is a randomized control trial (double blind study) designed to study the efficacy of antibiotic prophylaxis in preventing SSI (surgical site infection) in patients undergoing Lichenstein’s hernioplasty at our tertiary care centre.Results: The overall SSI incidence was found to be 12% in the study population. Among the placebo group, SSI was observed in 7 patients (14%). In the patients in whom antibiotic prophylaxis was administered, SSI was observed in 5 patients (10%).Conclusions: Antibiotic prophylaxis was associated with decreased incidence of wound infection when compared to control group, but the difference was not statistically significant. This study only gives a baseline data about the status of SSI associated with hernia repair in our tertiary care centre highlighting the need for further research in this field.