Objective: To compare the frequency of surgical site infection by using postoperative prophylactic antibiotics (1day vs. > 5 days) in patients following open surgical reduction of facial fractures.

Design: Randomized Controlled Trial

Setting: Department of Dental &Maxillofacial Surgery, Liaquat National Hospital, Institute of Postgraduate Medical Studies & Health Sciences, Karachi.

Duration: 06months from 23 December 2016 to 22 June 2017.

Subject and Methods: A total of 368 cases according to inclusion and exclusion criteria were included in this study. Patients were randomly divided into two groups. Antibiotic (Inj. Augmentin 1.2g) was given to group A from admission to 24 hours postoperatively and in Group B antibiotic was continue up to 05 days postoperatively. A surgeon evaluated participants of both groups at 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks postoperatively for infection according to criteria of surgical site infection published by CDC. All information was noted in the proforma.

Results: - The average age of the patients was 31.10±7.39 years. Rate of surgical site infection was not significant between groups (4.9% vs. 7.1%; p=0.379).

Conclusion: In this study 1-day course of antibiotics postoperatively in facial fractures is as effective in preventing infective complications as a 5-day regimen. The use of prolonged postoperative antibiotics in uncomplicated facial fractures had no significant benefit in reducing the incidence of infections.

Key Words: Maxillofacial Surgeons, Surgical site infection, Prophylactic antibiotics