RISK FACTORS FOR SURGICAL WOUND INFECTION AFTER ELECTIVE LAPAROSCOPIC CHOLECYSTECTOMY

Area of Science:

• Surgical Infection Prevention
• Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy Outcomes
• Antibiotic Prophylaxis Efficacy

Background:

• Antibiotic prophylaxis is used to prevent surgical site infections, particularly in cholecystectomies.
• Current guidelines vary on universal antibiotic prophylaxis for cholecystectomies, despite limited evidence of benefit without risk factors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the incidence of wound infection following elective laparoscopic cholecystectomies.
• To evaluate the impact of antibiotic prophylaxis on infection rates in these procedures.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 439 patients undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
• Inclusion of patients with chronic cholecystitis and cholelithiasis.
• Analysis of various risk factors for wound infection.

Main Results:

• A low incidence of wound infection was observed (1.59%, 7 cases).
• Antibiotic prophylaxis regimens did not significantly impact infection rates.
• Male gender was identified as a statistically significant risk factor for wound infection (p=0.013).

Conclusions:

• The study suggests that withholding antibiotic prophylaxis did not increase wound infection rates.
• Further research with larger sample sizes and control groups is recommended to confirm these findings.