title: A national audit of antibiotic prophylaxis in elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Laparoscopic surgeons in Great Britain and Ireland were surveyed to assess their use of antibiotic prophylaxis in elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy. This followed a Cochrane review that found no evidence to support the use of antibiotic prophylaxis in routine cases.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were collected on routine use of antibiotics in elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy, and how that was influenced by factors such as bile spillage, patient co-morbidities and surgeons' experience. An online questionnaire was sent to 450 laparoscopic surgeons in December 2011.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Data were received from 111 surgeons (87 consultants) representing over 7,000 cases per year. In routine cases without bile spillage, 64% of respondents gave no antibiotics and 36% gave a single dose. In cases with bile spillage, 11% gave no antibiotics. However, 80% gave one dose and 7% gave three doses. Co-amoxiclav was used by 75% of surgeons. Surgeons are more likely to give antibiotics when patients have risk factors for infective endocarditis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study suggests over 20,000 doses of antibiotics and over £100,000 could be saved annually if surgeons modified their practice to follow current guidelines.
authors.affiliation: Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust, UK.
authors.forename: H E
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: Graham
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vasireddy
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Nehra
mesh_terms: D019072:Antibiotic Prophylaxis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017081:Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003253:Consultants / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008485:Medical Audit; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006113:United Kingdom