Protocol for Antibiotic Administration in Mandibular Trauma: A Prospective Clinical Trial

The purpose of this study is to determine the necessity and/or effectiveness of antibiotics in cases with maxillofacial trauma and emphasise the administration of antibiotics in maxillofacial fractures indicated for open reduction and rigid internal fixation (ORIF).

This study is a single blind, prospective, randomized clinical trial composed of subjects who presented with non-comminuted, linear fractures of the mandible and were treated by ORIF via an intraoral approach. One hundred and forty-four subjects (2011-2015) who belonged to the above entities were randomly categorized into 2 groups of 72 each, on lottery method. Patients in Group A were administered a 5 day course of antibiotic (1 day IV antibiotics followed by 4 days oral) while patients in Group B received a 1 day course of IV antibiotic (1 dose post op). Both the groups were followed up on the 1st day, 3rd day, 1st week, 1st month, 3rd month post operatively and were evaluated for pain, swelling, infection, fever, spontaneous wound dehiscence, purulent discharge and any other adverse effects.

Post operative infection when measured clinically and radiographically was comparatively higher in Group B. Out of 72 patients in both the groups, 5 patients each in Group A and Group B reported with wound dehiscence, 9 patients in both groups developed pyrexia.

Though the post operative infection was slightly more in Group B compared to Group A, 1 day antibiotic regimen was found to be equally effective when compared to 5 day regimen and helps in reducing the after effects, superinfection and antibiotic resistance. It has better patient compliance and is cost effective.