Recently a randomized clinical trial found no significant benefit with antibiotic prophylaxis. The idea was to check whether a single preoperative 1000 mg IV Cefazolin dose could reduce surgical site infection after removal of the implants used for fractures below the knee. 470 patients (age 18-75 years) with below-knee implants were randomized to receive Cefazolin or saline before the implant removal surgery. After 30 days of the surgery, the infection rate was 12.2% in the Cefazolin group and 14.9% in the saline group (no significant difference). Source: Manouk Backes et al, Effect of Antibiotic Prophylaxis on Surgical Site Infections Following Removal of Orthopedic Implants Used for Treatment of Foot, Ankle, and Lower Leg Fractures: A Randomized Clinical Trial.
JAMA. 2017;318(24):2438-2445. doi:10.1001/jama.2017.19343. December 26, 2017. In your practice have you experienced any…
