A reevaluation of antibiotic prophylaxis in laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a randomized controlled trial

To assess the result of antibiotic prophylaxis in low-risk patients undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy with respect to the postoperative septic complications.

One hundred and two low-risk patients were randomized into 1 of 2 treatment arms (1) cefazolin 1 g intravenously after induction of anesthesia (PA group) and (2) no prophylactic antibiotics (NONE group). Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was attempted in all cases. The patients were followed-up for postoperative septic complications for at least 30 days at the out-patient clinic or by telephone contact. In both groups, sex, age, weight, American Society of Anesthesiologists patient classification score, operative time, surgical techniques, number of port sites, intraoperative cholangiograms, intraoperative gallbladder rupture, postoperative hospital stay, and postoperative septic complications were compared. The statistical analysis of data performed by computer program SPSS 10.0 for Windows was based on the Independent-Samples T Test or the Pearson Chi-Square (2-sided).

There was only one minor problem of superficial wound infection in the NONE group. Comparison of data showed no statistically significant difference between the groups.

Antibiotic Prophylaxis may not be necessary in low-risk patients undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy.