ABSTRACT

Background: General surgeons commonly perform inguinal hernioplasty with possible complications of surgical site infections in hospitals. This infection at surgical site can be prevented by usage of adequate and proper aseptic measures as well as utilizing prophylactic antibiotics.

Aim: To compare outcome difference of inguinal mesh Hernioplasty using postoperative antibiotics vs. no use of antibiotics.

Methodology: This study was done at in North Surgical Ward, Mayo Hospital Lahore in time of six months. A total of 210 patients suffering from inguinal hernia were taken using consecutive non-probability sampling. Randomization of patients was ensured using lottery methods and patients were divided into into antibiotic group called Group A (n=105) and no antibiotic group Group B (n=105) groups. Using the method of pull in envelope randomization was carried out upon arrival of patients in operating ward. After assuring the aseptic procedures, standard procedure of mesh Hernioplasty was carried out and Group A was administered with oral cephradine both postoperatively and preoperatively for 03 days post discharge from hospital while for group B administration of preoperative antibiotic was carried out.

Results: The average age of subjects in group A was reported as 36.69±14.44 years and in control group it was reported as 43.17±17.36 years. The average hospital stay duration was reported to be significantly lower for Group A was 1.89±0.9 and for control group it was 3.62 ± 1.04, p-value<0.0001. In group A 10(9.5%) patients were reported to have infection at surgical site and in Group B the infection at surgical site was significantly higher i.e. 24.8%, p-value 0.003.

Conclusion: In conclusion, this study suggests rate for infection at post-operative surgical site was significantly higher statistically in control group when compared to group A. Hence antibiotics usage, post-operatively, is concluded to be more effective for controlling infection at surgical site post-operatively in patients undergoing inguinal mesh hernioplasty.

Keywords: Inguinal hernia, Mesh Hernioplasty, Surgical Site Infection, Antibiotics.