The role of prophylactic cefazolin in the prevention of infection after various types of abdominal wall hernia repair with mesh

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the role of cefazolin in prevention of various infections after abdominal wall repair by mesh. Materials and methods: This is a prospective study consisted of 300 patients with various kinds of hernia (inguinal, femoral, bilateral, incisional, umbilical and lumbar hernias who were treated for elective mesh repair in from September 2010 to October 2014. Results: In the present study, 300 patients with different kinds of hernia were selected for elective surgery. Of them 200 patients (66.6%) were males and 100 patients (33.4%) were females with mean age of 50-55 years. Patients were assigned into study group and control group. 180 patients (60%) received prophylactic cefazolin, this group was named as study group and 120 patients (40%) were named as control group and did not receive any prophylactic antibiotics. The mean age of patients in control group was 51.5±13.45 years and that in study group was 53.0±15.75 years which was not significantly different. (p =0.05). 22 patients (18.3%) of 120 control group patients had epigastric hernia, 18 patients (15%) had incisional hernia, 46 patients (38.3) had inguinal hernia, 34 patients (28.3%) had umbilical hernia and all these patients were not given any prophylactic antibiotics. 44 patients (24.4%) of 180 study patients had epigastric hernia, 31 patients (17.2%) had incisional hernia, 85 patients (47.2%) had inguinal hernia and 20 patients (11.1) had umbilical and all these patients were given prophylactic antibiotic. One patient who received rives repair in the study group developed deep surgical site infection which necessitated readmission and partial debridement of the mesh without complete excision. Conclusion: This study results did not support the use of cephazolin as a prophylactic for various kinds of abdominal wall hernia repair with mesh.