Postoperative antibiotic prophylaxis in mandibular fractures: A preliminary randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled clinical study.

PURPOSE: This study evaluated the difference between the effect of a 5-day postoperative course of oral antibiotics and a placebo on the incidence of postoperative infection in uncomplicated fractures of the mandible.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective, randomized, double-blind clinical study using a placebo control was carried out. Thirty patients were randomly assigned into 2 groups: group 1 (14 patients) and group 2 (16 patients). Each group received penicillin G, 2 million U intravenously, every 4 hours through the preoperative period, intraoperative period, and for 12 hours postoperatively. Group 1 then received penicillin VK, 500 mg every 6 hours for 5 days. Group 2 received oral placebo using the same schedule for the same duration as group 1. The patients were than evaluated for evidence of infection 1, 2, 4, and 6 weeks postoperatively.

RESULTS: Two of 14 patients in group 1 (14.3%) and 2 of 16 patients in group 2 (12.5%) developed infections. No statistically significant difference in the incidence of infection was noted between the groups.

CONCLUSIONS: In this preliminary study, the use of postoperative oral antibiotics in uncomplicated fractures of the mandible had no benefit in reducing the incidence of infections.