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Hernia
Chapter 12 KQ12.b Are prophylactic antibiotics indicated in open
mesh repair in a high-risk patient in a low-risk
environment?
Antibiotic prophylaxis KQ12.c Are prophylactic antibiotics indicated in open
mesh repair in any patient in a high-risk environment?
A. Montgomery, Th. J. Aufenacker and J. Bingener KQ12.d Are prophylactic antibiotics indicated in
laparoscopic repair in any patient in any risk environment?
Introduction
Prophylactic antibiotics in inguinal herniorrhaphies are
intended to prevent infections, which is particularly
important when prosthetic material is used. However, Evidence in literature
unwarranted antibiotic use may create problems, notably The latest Cochrane meta-analysis, encompassing 11 RCTs,
patient allergies, C. difficile infection, bacterial resistance was published in 2012. 600 Additional relevant and crucial
and increased costs, amongst others. Antibiotic use is data were abstracted from papers published in 2013 and
widely accepted in patients with risk factors and in con- 2014. 4, 601, 602 In total, 17 RCTs involving 5709 patients
taminated and infected conditions. However, prophylactic were included to formulate the recommendations. Eight of
antibiotic use should be questioned under clean conditions the articles included in this analysis are of high or moderate
in patients with limited risk factors for infection. Current quality while the rest are of low or very low quality.
evidence is presented. Difficulties in data interpretation stem from the fact that
inclusion criteria vary broadly across the RCTs. This
Key questions variation encompasses patient risk factors (e.g. immuno-
suppression, diabetes, heart failure), hernia characteristics
KQ12.a Are prophylactic antibiotics indicated in open (e.g. primary, bilateral, recurrent), and operative or post-
mesh repair in an average-risk patient in a low-risk operative interventions (e.g. wound infection incidence,
environment? hair shaving, drain use, seroma puncture). The current
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