SOFT-TISSUE INFECTIONS AFTER OPEN LACRIMAL SURGERY

Background: Soft tissue infection after open lacrimal surgery is said to be uncommon. This study was designed to determine the rate of infec tion and the effect of early antibiotic prophylaxis after open lacrima l surgery. Methods: Two consecutive patient groups undergoing open lac rimal surgery were studied by review of case notes: the first group (1 52 patients) did not receive antibiotic prophylaxis after surgery, and the second group (128 patients) did. Results: Infection occurred in 2 of the 128 patients who were given prophylactic antibiotics (1.6%) an d in 12 of the 152 patients who were not (7.9%; P < 0.02). Silicone in tubation did not affect the infection rate, but patients who had susta ined previous facial trauma did have a significantly increased rate of infection (P < 0.01). Conclusions: Soft tissue infection occurs in ap proximately 8% of patients after open lacrimal surgery. A 5-fold reduc tion in this rate can be achieved with routine administration of antib iotics after surgery. The use of silicone tubing does not increase the risk of infection.