Surgical Site Infections in Single-dose versus Multiple-dose Broad-spectrum Intravenous Antibiotic Prophylaxis in Clean Surgeries: A Quasi-experimental Study

Abstract

Introduction: Surgical Site Infections (SSIs) constitute a prevalent nosocomial concern among surgical patients. The incidence of SSIs typically ranges from 1-2% in the context of clean surgeries, irrespective of the use of antibiotic prophylaxis. Frequently, a single preoperative dose of antibiotics administered up to 60 minutes before surgery suffices. Aim: To compare the rates of postoperative infections following a single preoperative dose of prophylactic antibiotics with those receiving multiple postoperative doses. Materials and Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted at the Surgery Department of Kumareshwara Hospital in Bagalkot, Karnataka, India. Participants included individuals aged over 18 years undergoing elective clean surgeries, with their informed consent. Patients with co-morbidities or pre-existing infections at the surgical site were excluded from the study. A total of 161 cases were enrolled, divided into two groups: Group A (single dose of broad-spectrum i.v. antibiotic with 70 patients) and Group B (multiple doses of the same broad-spectrum antibiotic with 91 patients). Independent parameters of outcome variables were analysed using the Chi-square test and Student’s t-test. Results: The mean age of study participants was 41.25±13.47 years. The incidence of SSI in Group A was 1.42%, while in Group B, it was 2.20%. The mean duration of hospital stay was shorter in Group A (6.11±3.87 days) compared to Group B (7.60±4.08 days). Conclusion: In conclusion, the study suggests that the incidence of SSIs in both groups is similar and statistically insignificant for clean surgeries. Importantly, the hospital stay was shorter in the group receiving a single preoperative dose of antibiotics compared to multiple doses of antibiotics.