Abstract
BACKGROUND: There is ambiguity about the use of antibiotic prophylaxis in inguinal mesh hernioplasty. We have tried to assess the efficacy of antibiotic prophylaxis in this procedure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A randomized double blind placebo controlled study was conducted which included 55 patients who underwent an inguinal mesh hernioplasty over a 2 year period. The patients were evaluated for the status of the suture line as well as the presence of wound infection. RESULTS: Out of 55 patients 29 were randomized to the antibiotic arm and 26 to the placebo group. The groups were well matched for all variables studied excluding wound infections, which occurred at a rate of 10.34% (n = 3) in the antibiotic group and 15.38% (n = 4) in the placebo arm, (p > 0.01). CONCLUSION: This study did not document any statistically significant difference observed between those who received antibiotics and those receiving placebo in terms of any of the prognostic end points evaluated for Lichtenstein mesh hernioplasty.