Journal of AdvancedMedical and Dental Sciences Research

Background: Inguinal hernias account for 75% of abdominal wall hernias, with a lifetime risk of 27% in men and 3% in women. Repair of inguinal hernia is one of the most common operations in general surgery. The present study was conducted to assess role of prophylactic antibiotics in open inguinal hernia repair. Materials & Methods: 68 patients of inguinal hernia admitted for mesh repair of both genders were included. Group I had cases and group II had controls. Group I cases was given iv injection of 1.2 gm amoxycillin-clavulanate in 20 ml saline at the time of induction and group II was given 20 ml of sterile saline as placebo. Results: Group I had 28 males and 40 females and group II had 38 males and 30 females. Age group 11-20 years had 4, 21-30 years had 4, 31-40 years had 6, 41-50 years had 10, 50-60 years had 14 and >60 years had 20 cases. The complications seen were seroma 14 in group I and 16 in group II, erythema 2 in group I and 3 in group II, serous discharge 2 in group I and 4 in group II and stich abscess 1 in group II. The difference was significant (P< 0.05). Conclusion: Administration of prophylactic antibiotics in patients undergoing inguinal hernia repair does not provide additional benefit.