Evaluation of Antibiotic Efficacy Before and After Surgery for Inguinal Hernia Repair With Mesh in the Prevention of Surgical Site Infection

Background and Aim: Inguinal hernia repair is performed in two ways, one without mesh and the other with mesh. Use of antibiotics is one of the major challenges in hernia mesh repair. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of using and not using antibiotics on the infection of the site of operation. Materials and Methods: This prospective double-blind cohort study performed in Kosar Hospital in Sanandaj. Patients were placed in three groups and examined for postoperative infection at the surgical site. Group A received no antibiotics, group B received preoperative antibiotics and group C received postoperative antibiotics. Results: Among 186 patients, 56 were in group A, 62 in group B and 68 in group C. A total of 8 patients (4.3 percent) in 3 groups developed complications, which included erythema and discharge from the operation site. In group A, two patients and in group C, 6 patients developed surgical site infection, which showed no significant difference among the three groups (P = 0.317). There was no significant relationship between the incidence of the complications (R = 135, Adj.R2 = 0.007, P = 0.187) and age, residential place and site of operation. Conclusions: Based on the results of our study, antibiotics are not necessary in the patients undergoing inguinal hernia surgery with mesh. Therefore, routine antibiotic use should not be advocated. This viewpoint is very effective in reducing antibiotic resistance.