title: Wound infection after cholecystectomy: a case for routine prophylaxis.
abstract: Wound infection after cholecystectomy is a not uncommon problem. A retrospective study of 227 cholecystectomies showed the incidence to be 15% when cholecystectomy alone was performed and 30% when a duct exploration was carried out without prophylactic antibiotics. These incidences were reduced to 3.6% and 3.4% respectively when prophylactic antibiotics were used. Though it has been possible to identify a high-risk group of patients, a truly low-risk group is not readily identifiable. It is concluded that prophylactic antibiotics should be given to all patients undergoing cholecystectomy.
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002763:Cholecystectomy; D003135:Common Bile Duct / Q000601:surgery; D004739:England; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011292:Premedication; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012306:Risk; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents