ANTIBIOTIC-PROPHYLAXIS AND OPEN GROIN HERNIA REPAIR

Antibiotic prophylaxis is not routinely given for nonimplant, clean op erations, although this view has recently been challenged. We have con ducted a randomized multicenter, double-blind prospective trial to com pare co-amoxiclav with placebo in 619 patients undergoing open groin h ernia repair. Altogether 563 (91%) patients fulfilled the protocol; 28 3 received co-amoxiclav and 280 placebo. There was no difference betwe en the groups in the number of patients receiving local or general ane sthetic, the type of repair performed, the use of a subcutaneous fat s uture, the type of skin closure used, the use of wound analgesia, or t he use of a mound drain. Patients were given a card to return to the h ospital in the event of their wound discharging or their needing to se e their general practitioner. All patients mere reviewed at approximat ely 6 weeks after operation. Fifty (8.9%) patients sustained a wound i nfection, 25 in the co-amoxiclav group and 25 in the placebo group. We conclude that antibiotic prophylaxis is of no benefit to patients und ergoing open groin hernia repair.