1*Post Graduate Trainee, Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Kalinga Institute of Dental Sciences, KIIT – DU, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India. Email: Jharnadeep2403@gmail.com
2Associate Professor, Department of Anatomy, Kalinga Institute of Medical Science, KIIT – DU, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India. Email: susmitas.senapati@kims.ac.in
3Reader, Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Kalinga Institute of Dental Sciences, KIIT – DU, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India. Email: asutoshd@gmail.com
4Intern, Department of Dentistry, Kalinga Institute of Dental Sciences, KIIT – DU, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India. Email: dr.dentalsmilechangesthemood@gmail.com
5PG Trainee, Institute of Dental Studies and Technologies, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Atal Bihari Vajpayee Medical University, Modinagar, Uttar Pradesh, India. Email: medha.krishnan99@gmail.com
Background: Postoperative infections remain a significant complication following major oral and maxillofacial surgeries. The oral cavity contains a diverse microbial flora that may contaminate surgical sites during procedures, potentially leading to surgical site infections (SSIs). Pre-operative antibiotic prophylaxis is commonly used to reduce bacterial contamination and minimize postoperative complications. However, the routine use of antibiotics remains controversial due to concerns regarding antimicrobial resistance and inconsistent evidence regarding their effectiveness.
Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of pre-operative antibiotic use on postoperative infection rates in patients undergoing major oral and maxillofacial surgeries.
Methodology: A retrospective study was conducted on 100 patients who underwent major oral and maxillofacial surgical procedures at a tertiary care dental hospital. Patients were divided into two groups: Group A (n=50) received pre-operative antibiotics, while Group B (n=50) did not receive pre-operative antibiotics. Data including patient demographics, type of surgery, duration of surgery, and postoperative infection outcomes were collected from medical records. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software, and the Chi-square test was used to determine the association between antibiotic use and infection rates. A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: Postoperative infection was observed in 4 patients (8%) in the antibiotic group and 10 patients (20%) in the non-antibiotic group. Although infection rates were lower among patients who received pre-operative antibiotics, the difference was not statistically significant (χ² = 3.03, p = 0.081). Additionally, surgeries lasting more than two hours showed a higher infection rate compared to shorter procedures.
Conclusion: Pre-operative antibiotics were associated with a lower incidence of postoperative infections, but the difference was not statistically significant. Antibiotic prophylaxis should be considered based on individual patient risk factors and surgical complexity rather than routine use.
Keywords: Pre-operative antibiotics, Oral and maxillofacial surgery, Surgical site infection, Antibiotic prophylaxis, Postoperative complications.
How to cite this article: Deep J, Senapati S, Das A, Jena A, Krishnan M. Impact Of Pre-Operative Antibiotic Use On Infection Rates After Major Oral And Maxillofacial Surgeries: A Retrospective Study. Int J Drug Deliv Technol. 2026;16(1s): 262-268. DOI: 10.25258/ijddt.16.1s.33
Source of support: Nil.
Conflict of interest: None