Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 11, 2026

The Role of Indocyanine Green Fluorescence in Complex Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy Navigation
03:27

The Role of Indocyanine Green Fluorescence in Complex Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy Navigation

Published on: January 31, 2025

1.3K

Prophylactic Antibiotics for Elective Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

J Patrick Smith, Navdeep S Samra, David H Ballard

    The American Surgeon
    |May 2, 2018
    PubMed

    Insights

    Withholding prophylactic antibiotics for elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy did not increase surgical site infections. This study suggests routine antibiotic prophylaxis is not indicated for this common procedure.

    Area of Science:

    • Surgical infection prevention
    • Gastrointestinal surgery outcomes
    • Evidence-based medicine

    Background:

    • Elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy is associated with low rates of surgical site infections (SSIs).
    • The necessity of prophylactic antibiotics (PA) for this procedure is increasingly questioned.
    • Previous practices involved routine PA for all patients undergoing cholecystectomy.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To evaluate the impact of withholding PA on SSI incidence after elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
    • To compare SSI rates before and after a change in institutional antibiotic practice.
    • To determine if PA are still indicated for this surgical procedure.

    Main Methods:

    • A comparative study design was employed, analyzing data from two distinct periods.
    • The study group (n=268) did not receive PA, while the control group (n=119) received PA.
    • Infection incidence and severity were compared between the two groups.

    Main Results:

    • The incidence of SSIs in the study group was 3.0%, compared to 0.9% in the control group (P=0.29).
    • The difference in infection rates was not statistically significant.
    • All infections observed were mild, with only one exception.

    Conclusions:

    • Routine prophylactic antibiotic use is not supported for elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
    • Withholding PA did not lead to a significant increase in SSI rates.
    • This practice change may allow for more targeted antibiotic use, reducing potential side effects and resistance.

    More Related Videos

    Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy with Indocyanine Green Fluorescence: Choledochoscopic Stone Extraction and Primary Duct Suture04:02

    Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy with Indocyanine Green Fluorescence: Choledochoscopic Stone Extraction and Primary Duct Suture

    Published on: November 25, 2025

    357
    Antibiotic Dereplication Using the Antibiotic Resistance Platform10:49

    Antibiotic Dereplication Using the Antibiotic Resistance Platform

    Published on: October 17, 2019

    11.7K

    Related Concept Videos

    Antibiotic Selection00:57

    Antibiotic Selection

    Overview
    60.1K
    Development of Antibiotic Resistance01:30

    Development of Antibiotic Resistance

    Antibiotic resistance is a major public health concern that arises when bacteria evolve mechanisms to withstand the effects of antibiotic treatments. This resistance can be intrinsic, acquired through genetic mutations, or transferred between bacteria via horizontal gene transfer. The development of antibiotic resistance poses significant challenges in treating bacterial infections and necessitates ongoing research to develop new therapeutic strategies.Intrinsic resistance occurs when bacterial...
    1.5K
    Types of Genetic Transfer Between Organisms02:18

    Types of Genetic Transfer Between Organisms

    Genetic transfer occurs when genetic information is passed from one organism to another. It occurs via two mechanisms: vertical gene transfer and horizontal gene transfer. Vertical gene transfer occurs when genetic information is transferred from one generation to the next, which happens much more frequently than horizontal gene transfer. Both sexual and asexual reproduction are forms of vertical gene transfer, where one or more organisms pass some or all of their genome onto their progeny.
    31.0K
    The Roles of Bacteria and Fungi in Plant Nutrition02:11

    The Roles of Bacteria and Fungi in Plant Nutrition

    Plants have the impressive ability to create their own food through photosynthesis. However, plants often require assistance from organisms in the soil to acquire the nutrients they need to function correctly. Both bacteria and fungi have evolved symbiotic relationships with plants that help the species to thrive in a wide variety of environments.
    47.4K
    Bacterial Transformation01:33

    Bacterial Transformation

    In 1928, bacteriologist Frederick Griffith worked on a vaccine for pneumonia, which is caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria. Griffith studied two pneumonia strains in mice: one pathogenic and one non-pathogenic. Only the pathogenic strain killed host mice.
    Griffith made an unexpected discovery when he killed the pathogenic strain and mixed its remains with the live, non-pathogenic strain. Not only did the mixture kill host mice, but it also contained living pathogenic bacteria that...
    60.1K
    The Evidence for Evolution02:55

    The Evidence for Evolution

    Genetic variations accumulating within populations over generations give rise to biological evolution. Evolutionary changes can result in the formation of novel varieties and entire new species. These changes are responsible for the diverse forms of life inhabiting the planet. The evidence for evolution suggests that all living organisms descended from common ancestors.
    48.4K