Are prophylactic antibiotics necessary prior to thyroid and parathyroid surgery for the prevention of surgical site infection? A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate whether antibiotic prophylaxis is effective in reducing the incidence of surgical site infection (SSI) in patients undergoing thyroid and parathyroid surgery. METHODS: In this paper, the authors report a meta-analysis of infection rate for thyroid and parathyroid surgery. Randomized controlled trials (RCT) for comparing the use of prophylactic antibiotics in thyroid procedures with placebo or no antibiotics were included in the review. RESULTS: Seven RCTs with a total number of 3665 patients were included in the meta-analysis. Compared with the control group, antibiotic prophylaxis had made a non-significant difference in the infection rate (RR = 1.43, 95 % CI = 0.70, 2.89, P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The results of this meta-analysis do not support the routine use of antibiotic prophylaxis for thyroid and parathyroid surgery. However, the benefits and risks of antibiotic prophylaxis should be considered fully in high-risk patients. (Am J Transl Med 2018. 2:86-95)