Vol. 5, Issue 1, Part E (2021)

Method: This is a prospective study done on patients in General Surgery Department, Sree Mookambika Institute of Medical Science, Kulaseharam, Kaniyakumari Dist., India., from 1^st june 2018 to 30^th November 2020. Total 120 patients were divided into 2 groups of 60 patients each in which Group-A received single dose antibiotic prophylaxis (Inj. Cefotaxim 1gm iv 30mins before surgery) and Group-B received 3 doses of antibiotic therapy (Inj. Cefotaxim 1gm iv 30 mins before surgery, post operatively 2 doses in 12hrs interval).

Results: A total of 120 patients were included. Age of the patients ranged from 18 to 65 (Mean 46.21) years. In Group-A SSI was observed in 5 patients (8.33%) while 55 patients (91.66%) had a healthy scar. In Group-B SSI was seen in 4 patients (6.66%) and 56 patients (93.33%) had healthy scars. The difference between the two groups was not statistically significant (p=0.72).

Conclusion: Single dose antibiotic among patients undergoing open mesh repair for inguinal hernia is preferred option to prevent postoperative infection and it is cost effective too.