Postoperative Antibiotics Following Reduction Mammaplasty Does Not Reduce Rates of Surgical Site Infection

Background: The efficacy of antibiotic utilization following reduction mammaplasty has not been well studied. Furthermore, there is a lack of data describing subgroups who are historically at high risk for surgical site infection (SSI), specifically the obese population. Objectives: This study compares SSI rates in reduction mammaplasty patients who received postoperative courses of antibiotics with those who did not. Additional analysis was performed for the subgroup of patients with a body mass index (BMI) >= 30 kg/m(2). Methods: The 2010 to 2021 PearlDiver Mariner data set was reviewed to identify reduction mammaplasty patients. Patients were confirmed to have received perioperative antibiotics. Postoperative antibiotic use was determined based on the presence of postoperative prescriptions, and 1:1 matching was performed for those with and without postoperative antibiotics based on age and the Elixhauser Comorbidity Index. Rates of SSI, emergency department (ED) visits, and readmissions for the 90 days following surgery were recorded and compared. A subgroup analysis was performed on patients with a BMI of >= 30 kg/m(2). Results: Among patients who were confirmed to have received perioperative antibiotics, 2230 patients who also received postoperative antibiotics were identified and matched to 2230 patients who did not. Rates of SSI, ED visits, and readmission were not statistically different. A total of 218 obese patients were identified from this group and matched. Rates of SSI, ED visits, and readmission were not statistically different. Conclusions: In the current study, no difference in SSI rates between patients who received postoperative antibiotics and those who did not was found. These observations were corroborated in the obese population. These data may assist surgeons when considering postoperative antibiotics following reduction mammaplasty.

Automated summary

This study compared surgical site infection rates in reduction mammaplasty patients who received postoperative antibiotics with those who did not. The results showed that there was no statistically significant difference in the rates of surgical site infection between the two groups. This conclusion was also applicable to the subgroup of obese patients.