The Journal of Trauma: Injury, Infection, and Critical Care · 1982 · 37 citations · 0 references
MedicinePerioperative MedicineSurgeryBurn SurgeryPerioperative Infection PreventionReconstructive SurgeryAntibiotic ProphylaxisAntimicrobial ProphylaxisBurn Infection ControlBurn ReconstructionReconstructive Surgery After BurnsSurgical ProphylaxisAntibiotic Prophylaxis In SurgeryBurn Wound ManagementBurn Wound ReconstructionBurn Wound RepairInfection Prevention After SurgeryPerioperative Prophylactic AntibioticsSkin Graft Infection PreventionSkin Grafts
A randomized prospective double-blind trial was conducted to determine the effectiveness of cephalothin vs. placebo given perioperatively for prevention of infections associated with operations using skin grafts for clean reconstructive surgery following burn injury. The antibiotic was effective in reducing infection (0.8% vs. 5.7%, p less than 0.03), reducing graft loss (p less than 0.2), and shortening hospital stay (12.38 days vs. 13.66 days, p = 0.02). Factors not associated with greater graft infection included the operating surgeon, the use or nonuse of a tie-on stent, graft thickness, large size of graft, and patient age.