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Is Antibiotic Prophylaxis Necessary in Elective Soft Tissue Hand Surgery?
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Is Antibiotic Prophylaxis Necessary in Elective Soft Tissue Hand Surgery?

Rick Tosti, John Fowler, Joe Dwyer, Mitchell Maltenfortrt, Joseph J. Thoder and Asif M. Ilyas
Orthopedics (Thorofare, N.J.), v 35(6), pp E829-E833
01 Jun 2012
PMID: 22691653

Abstract

Life Sciences & Biomedicine Orthopedics Science & Technology
Antibiotic prophylaxis for clean soft tissue hand surgery is not yet defined. Current literature focuses on overall orthopedic procedures, traumatic hand surgery, and carpal tunnel release. However, a paucity of data exists regarding the role of antibiotic prophylaxis in a broader variety of soft tissue hand procedures. The goal of the current study was to evaluate the rates of surgical site infection following elective soft tissue hand surgery with respect to administration of prophylactic antibiotics. A multicenter, retrospective review was performed on 600 consecutive elective soft tissue hand procedures. Procedures with concomitant implant or incomplete records were excluded. Antibiotic delivery was given at the discretion of the attending surgeon. Patient comorbidities were recorded. Outcomes were measured by the presence of deep or superficial infections within 30 days postoperatively. The 4 most common procedures were carpal tunnel release, trigger finger release, mass excision, and first dorsal compartment release. The overall infection rate was 0.66%. All infections were considered superficial, and none required surgical management. In patients who received antibiotic prophylaxis (n=212), the infection rate was 0.47%. In those who did not receive prophylaxis (n=388), the infection rate was 0.77%. These differences were not statistically significant (P=1.00).

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Collaboration types
Domestic collaboration
Web of Science research areas
Orthopedics
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