Evaluating the role of postoperative prophylactic antibiotics in primary and secondary breast augmentation: a retrospective review.
BACKGROUND
The use of postoperative prophylactic antibiotics following augmentation mammaplasty remains a controversial topic, with many surgeons opting for extended prophylaxis.


OBJECTIVE
The authors evaluate the role of postoperative prophylactic antibiotics in both primary and secondary cosmetic breast augmentation.


METHODS
A five-year retrospective chart review was performed on all patients undergoing cosmetic breast augmentation at a single institution from January 2005 to December 2009. The four attending physicians in this study utilized similar perioperative protocol and implant materials. Patients were divided into two cohorts: those who had received three days of postoperative antibiotics (primarily cephalosporins) and those who had not. End points of particular interest included infection, capsular contracture (CC), and local wound complications. The mean follow-up time was 3.8 years.


RESULTS
A total of 605 implants were included over the five-year study period. The overall infection rate was 0.66%. For primary augmentation, 493 implants were studied, with 52% of those patients having received postoperative antibiotics. There was no statistically significant reduction in infection, CC, or total complication rate for those receiving postoperative antibiotics. Similarly, 112 implants were studied for secondary augmentation, and again, postoperative antibiotics were not associated with a reduction in complications.


CONCLUSIONS
The data suggest that there was no reduction in the overall rate of total complications, infection, or CC with postoperative prophylactic antibiotics for either primary or secondary cosmetic breast augmentation. This study provides Level 3 evidence in support of discontinuing prophylactic postoperative antibiotics following cosmetic breast augmentation.
Division of Plastic Surgery, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, 840 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA. michael.mirzabeigi@jefferson.edu
Michael N
MN
Mirzabeigi
Alexander F
AF
Mericli
Timothy
T
Ortlip
Gary A
GA
Tuma
Steven E
SE
Copit
James W
JW
Fox
John H
JH
Moore
D000328:Adult; D019072:Antibiotic Prophylaxis; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D016462:Mammaplasty / Q000379:methods*; D010414:Pennsylvania / Q000453:epidemiology; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D011184:Postoperative Period; D016459:Prosthesis-Related Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies