Risk Factors for Surgical Wound Infection After Elective Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

Abstract

- BACKGROUND: One of the ways to avoid infection after surgical procedures is through antibiotic prophylaxis. This occurs in cholecystectomies with certain risk factors for infection. However, some guidelines suggest the use of antibiotic prophylaxis for all cholecystectomies, although current evidence does not indicate any advantage of this practice in the absence of risk factors. AIM: This study aimed to evaluate the incidence of wound infection after elective laparoscopic cholecystectomies and the use of antibiotic prophylaxis in these procedures. METHODS: This is a retrospective study of 439 patients with chronic cholecystitis and cholelithiasis, accounting for different risk factors for wound infection. RESULTS: There were 7 (1.59%) cases of wound infection. No antibiotic prophylaxis regimen significantly altered infection rates. There was a statistically significant correlation between wound infection and male patients (p=0.013). No other analyzed risk factor showed a statistical correlation with wound infection. CONCLUSIONS: The non-use of antibiotic prophylaxis and other analyzed factors did not present a significant correlation for the increase in the occurrence of wound infection. Studies with a larger sample and a control group without antibiotic prophylaxis are necessary.

An Indian surgeon's perspective on management of asymptomatic gallstones

“…6 Cholecystectomies are being performed laparoscopically rather than open methods due to lower risks of wound infection, faster recovery rates, and shorter duration of hospital stays. 7 However, in asymptomatic patients, the added risk of complications including bile duct injury from laparoscopic cholecystectomy must be balanced against the potential benefit of the treatment. Bile duct injury rates have increased since the introduction of laparoscopic cholecystectomy, occurring in about 3 per 1000 procedures performed.…”

“…With the advancement in medical sciences and technologies, minimally invasive surgeries have replaced the conventional open surgeries 6 . Cholecystectomies are being performed laparoscopically rather than open methods due to lower risks of wound infection, faster recovery rates, and shorter duration of hospital stays 7 . However, in asymptomatic patients, the added risk of complications including bile duct injury from laparoscopic cholecystectomy must be balanced against the potential benefit of the treatment.…”