Is Antibiotic Prophylaxis Necessary in Small (≤20% TBSA) Burn Excisions? A Retrospective Study

Joseph S. Puthumana, Iman F. Khan, Rafael Felix P. Tiongco, Arya A. Akhavan, Kimberly H. Khoo, Cecil S. Qiu, Joe J. Puthumana, Carisa M. Cooney, William F. Wright, Julie A. Caffrey

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Background: This study investigates the effect of prophylactic perioperative antibiotic use on patients with small burns [≤20% total body surface area (TBSA)] on rates of infection, graft loss, or readmission. Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted on patients admitted to our institution's burn center between January 2020 and July 2021. Patients were included if they had a 20% or less TBSA burn with 1 or more operating room visit for burn excision and were excluded if a preoperative infection was present. Data were gathered regarding patient demographics, burn mechanism, burn characteristics, and outcome measures including infection, graft loss, and readmission. Statistical analysis was conducted by Mann-Whitney U and Fisher exact tests, and P values reported at two-sided significance of less than 0.05. Results: There were no significant differences in age, body mass index, TBSA, percent third-degree burn, or comorbidities between patients who received (n = 29) or did not receive (n = 47) prophylactic perioperative antibiotics. There was a nonsignificant trend toward higher length of stay in the prophylactic antibiotic group, possibly driven by a nonsignificant trend toward higher rates of flame injuries in this group. There was no difference in infection (P = 0.544), graft loss (P = 0.494), or 30-day readmission (P = 0.584) between the two groups. Conclusion: This study finds no significant difference in postoperative infection, graft loss, or 30-day readmission in two similar patient cohorts who received or did not receive prophylactic perioperative antibiotics for acute excision of small (≤20% TBSA) burns.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)E4388
JournalPlastic and Reconstructive Surgery - Global Open
Volume10
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 21 2022

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery

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