The impact of prophylactic antibiotics on postoperative infection complication in elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a prospective randomized study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this prospective randomized study was to investigate the necessity and impact of prophylactic antibiotics on postoperative infection complications in elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

METHODS: At the time of induction of anesthesia, group A patients (n = 141) received 1 g cefazolin, and group B patients (control; n = 136) received 10 mL isotonic sodium chloride solution. Patients' characteristics and general operative outcomes were compared and analyzed.

RESULTS: The overall rate of infection was 1.1% for total 277 patients (0.7% for group A patients and 1.5% for group B patients). No significant difference in infection complications was found between these 2 groups. Also any risk factors contributing to infection complications could not be found.

CONCLUSIONS: We do not recommend the use of prophylactic antibiotics in elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy because they will not decrease the already-low rate of postoperative infectious complications.