Analyzing the necessity of prophylactic antibiotic usage in laparoscopy for uncomplicated gynecologic conditions in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Aim: The use of prophylactic antibiotics for laparoscopy of uncomplicated gynecologic conditions is controversial. The aim of this study was to assess whether prophylactic antibiotics is necessary to prevent early postoperative infections and febrile morbidity in elective laparoscopic surgery for benign gynecologic conditions.

Material and methods: A total of 218 patients who underwent laparoscopy for uncomplicated gynecologic conditions were recruited into the study over a 1-year period. Following recruitment into the study, they were divided into two groups (ratio 1:1). Patients were divided into either group A (n = 115) the therapy arm or group B (n = 103) the placebo arm. Group A patients received oral azithromycin 1 g daily for 3 days (i.e. the day before, the day of and the day after the procedure) while group B received placebo therapy. Post-procedural febrile and infection morbidity was analyzed.

Results: Morbidity was absent in 91.3% of patients in both groups A and B. The primary outcome measure of postoperative fever was present in eight patients from each group. The secondary outcome measure of postoperative infection was present in one patient from the group that did not receive prophylaxis (group B), who had a surgical site infection. There were no patients with urinary tract infection or pelvic inflammatory disease during the study.

Conclusion: Antibiotics prophylaxis was not able to achieve statistically significant reduction in postoperative febrile or infective morbidity in laparoscopic gynecologic surgery for benign uncomplicated conditions.

Keywords: gynecology; laparoscopy; prophylaxis.