Preoperative Antibiotic Prophylaxis Versus Placebo in Clean, Non-prosthetic Surgery at CHUK. Impact on Surgical Site Infections and Patient Cost.

I will conduct a randomized controlled trial (RCT) of antibiotic prophylaxis versus placebo in clean, non-prosthetic, elective procedures. The intervention will be a single dose of prophylactic antibiotic (cefazolin): 2 gr in adults or 3 gr for patients weighing >120Kg and 30mg/kg in children) within 30-60 minutes prior to skin incision. The control group will receive a similarly prepared placebo injection (water for injection) 30-60 minutes prior to incision.

I will randomize patients in a 1:1 allocation ratio using a simple randomization. Patients will randomly pick an envelope with a number allocating to antibiotic prophylaxis or placebo. Patients and caretakers will be blinded to the intervention. The surgeon will also be blinded to the intervention. The antibiotic (or placebo) will be pre-mixed by the study investigator and administered by the anesthetist.

Other preventive measures for surgical site infection (SSIs) such as effective surgical hand scrub, proper skin preparation with povidone and sterility of materials and instrument will be applied systematically in all groups. Dressing of the wound will be removed 48 hours after operation and no further dressing will be required. Patients will be followed for development of SSI documented by surgeon at discharge and will be called after 30 days of surgery to address any sign of SSI.