BACKGROUND: To identify the need for antibiotic prophylaxis usage in routine laparoscopic cholecystectomy. METHODS: A prospective, randomized double-blind study was done in patients submitted to routine laparoscopic cholecystectomy from June 2003 to July 2007, with 163 patients divided in two groups: Group A (n=82) received antibiotic prophylaxis with Cefoxitin 2g IV at anesthesia induction; Group B (n=81) received 2 mL of isotonic sodium chloride solution at same time. Surgical technique and team were the same. The purpose of this study was to search the outcome for surgical site infections and superficial or deep abscesses. The patients were examined at 7 and 28 days after surgery. Data were analyzed by Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: This study showed infection complication rates of 4.76% in group A and 6.17% in group B. There were no statistical significant differences (p = 0.746) for infection complication rates in both groups. The groups were homogeneous and comparable. CONCLUSIONS: Patients submitted to routine laparoscopic cholecystectomy with low surgical risk do not need antibiotic prophylaxis, because it will not result in lower infection rates.
Cholecystectomy; laparoscopy; Antibiotic prophylaxis
