The Use of Antibiotics for the Prevention of Surgical Site Infections in Two Government Hospitals in Taif, Saudi Arabia: A Retrospective Study

BackgroundSurgical site infections (SSIs) are among the most common postoperative complications. To reduce the occurrence of surgical wound infections, suitable antimicrobials should be administered.Aim of the workThis study investigated the prophylactic use of antibiotics to prevent SSIs, in terms of agents and/or combination preferences, and the adherence of surgeons to both national and international guidelines of surgical antibiotic prophylaxis in Taif city government hospitals.MethodsThis is a retrospective study using a chart review of patients' medical records in two government hospitals in Taif city, Saudi Arabia, from July 2016 to July 2018. While maintaining the confidentiality of the patient’s data, it was collected and analyzed using the chi-squared and Fisher’s exact tests, and the difference between means was tested using the student’s t-test.ResultsProphylactic antibiotics were used in 157 patients who had surgery (Group 1) while 52 patients did not receive preoperative antibiotics (Group 2). The most commonly used prophylactic antibiotics were metronidazole, cefuroxime, cefazolin, and ceftriaxone. Other antimicrobials used included cefotaxime, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, cephalexin, and amoxicillin. Surgical site infections developed in one patient of those who received antibiotics preoperatively and in three Group 2 patients. The mean hospital length of stay in Group 1 was 38.5±9.2 hours, and 57.3±12.1 hours in Group 2 patients. The types of antibiotics used were generally within the scope of national and international recommended guidelines.ConclusionThe use of preoperative prophylactic antibiotics significantly reduces the development of surgical site infections and the mean length of hospital stay. Various antimicrobial drugs that were used prophylactically in surgical practice are within the recommendations of both national and international guidelines.