The international surgical journal with global reach

This is the Scientific Surgery Archive, which contains all randomized clinical trials in surgery that have been identified by searching the top 50 English language medical journal issues since January 1998. Compiled by Jonothan J. Earnshaw, former Editor-in-Chief, BJS

The role of prophylactic antibiotics in laparoscopic cholecystectomy in preventing postoperative infection: a meta-analysis. J Adv Lap Endosc Tech 2011; 21: 301-306.

Published: 7th July 2011

Authors: Yan R-C, Shen S-Q, Chen Z-B, Lin F-S, Riley J.

Conclusion

Twelve studies were of sufficient quality for analysis. Antibiotics did not reduce the rate of overall infection (odds ratio 1.11, 95 per cent confidence interval 0.68 to 1.82, P=0.67), but they did reduce overall hospital stay (weighted mean difference -0.16 days, -0.22 to -0.09, P<0.01).

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