Background: Orthopaedic surgeries require sensitive protocol for prevention of infection pre and post-surgery. Antibiotic-prophylaxis has been reported for reducing risk of infection in orthopaedic surgeries such as removal of implants.

Aim: To assess the effect of prophylactic antibiotics in orthopaedic surgery.

Study design: Retrospective study

Place and duration of study: Dept. of Orthopaedics, Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar from 1-1-2020 to 31-12- 2020.

Methodology: One hundred and ten patients within 18-75 years were divided into two groups. Each group had 55 patients. Group 1 were given prophylactic antibiotics pre-operative as a single dose while group 2 were given only saline. All patients were admitted for removal of orthopaedic implants in foot, ankle or leg. Patients 30 days record was observed for any surgical-site infection.

Results: The mean age of patient was 42.95±10.8 years. Group 1 and Group 2 had more males than females. There were 10.9% and 9.09% diabetic patients within group 1 and group 2. The 30 days assessment of post implant removal orthopaedic surgery showed a decrease of surgical-site infection in group 1. Surgical-site infection decreased by a rate of 5.4% among patients who were given cefazolin antibiotic.

Conclusion: The effect of prophylactic antibiotic reduces chance of surgical-site infection in orthopaedic surgery.