title: Antibiotic prophylaxis for post-operative wound infection in clean elective breast surgery.
abstract: Antibiotic prophylaxis has been used to good effect in the prevention of post-operative wound infections in patients undergoing gastrointestinal operations. We have assessed the use of a single dose of intravenous antibiotic (Augmentin 1.2 g), given with induction of anaesthesia as prophylaxis, against post-operative wound infection in women undergoing clean, elective breast surgery. Three hundred and thirty-four patients were recruited. Of the 164 receiving antibiotic prophylaxis 29 (17.7%) had wound infections compared with 32 (18.8%) in the placebo group (P=0.79). There were no significant differences in any other post-operative infective complications. Antibiotic prophylaxis is probably not required in clean, elective breast surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Royal South Hants Hospital, Southampton, UK.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sinnett
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Carpenter
authors.forename: P E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Preece
authors.forename: G T
authors.initials: GT
authors.lastname: Royle
mesh_terms: D019980:Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019072:Antibiotic Prophylaxis; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D019980:Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination