Prophylactic Antibiotics after Simple Laceration Repair

Authors

Bhavik Joshi, University of LynchburgFollow

Specialty

Urgent Care, Emergency Medicine

Advisor

Thomas Colletti

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Purpose: The purpose of this article serves to explore the necessity and value of prophylactic antibiotics after simple laceration repairs to prevent infection.

Method: A simple search in the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) database was conducted to collect the research pertinent to the topic. The search terms used for the literature search included: antibiotics, laceration repair, infection, and prophylaxis. After exclusion criteria were applied, 7 articles were selected and served as the foundation for this clinical review.

Results: Prophylactic antibiotics are generally not necessary for simple laceration repairs in preventing infections. However, more research and larger sample sizes are necessary to further validate the findings. Furthermore, antibiotics may be utilized in a case by case basis for vulnerable populations and high-risk wounds.

Conclusion: Many providers prescribe antibiotics after laceration repair for the purpose of preventing infection. Although it may help prevent potential infection, it may not be necessary in simple laceration repair within a safe timeframe. Based on the data, prophylactic antibiotics are largely not necessary after simple laceration repair to prevent infection and may even outweigh the benefits. However, more research is necessary to extend and further validate this conclusion to all populations.

Keywords: Laceration repair, Prophylaxis, Antibiotics, Infection.

Recommended Citation

Joshi B. Prophylactic Antibiotics after Simple Laceration Repair. University of Lynchburg DMSc Doctoral Project Assignment Repository. 2022; 4(4).