Introduction & Objective: Post operative wound infection is the most common form of infection in
surgical patients, containing about 38% of all surgical infections. In the text books surgical wounds are
divided into 4 groups: clean, clean- contaminated, contaminated and dirty.
Prophylactic antibiotic therapy is recommended only in clean -contaminated operations and is not routine
in clean operations except for some special situations.
However, prophylactic antibiotic therapy is used for all clean elective operations in Firoozgar hospital that
has some disadvantages, including resistant strains of bacteria, and financial problems (extra cost) for patients.
This study was done to determine whether antibiotic prophylaxis is an effective method in preventing wound
infection in these operations or not.
Materials & Methods: This interventional study (clinical trial) was done from June 2002 to May 2003
on 121 patients in Firoozager hospital. Patients who were candidate for elective clean surgical procedures
divided into two groups, according to randomized numbers.
Results: 62 patients (51.2%) received prophylactic antibiotic and 89 patients (48.8%) received no
prophylaxis. Wound infection occurred in 13 patients (10.7%), 7 patients (5.78%) in Control group and 6
patients (4.95%) in antibiotic treatment group. There was no statistically significant difference between two
groups. (P=0.1).
Conclusions: According to results of this study, routine use of antibiotic prophylaxis is not
recommended in clean elective operations.