A comparative study of the effect of prophylactic intravenous antibiotics and triclosan-coated sutures in the prevention of surgical site infection in pediatric groin surgeries

Background Surgical site infections (SSIs) continue to occur following clean pediatric groin surgeries, despite being considered low-risk procedures. Various preventive measures have been explored to reduce this morbidity. Objectives This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of a single-dose prophylactic intravenous antibiotic regimen with triclosan-coated suture material in preventing SSI in pediatric groin surgeries. Materials and Methods A prospective comparative study was conducted on pediatric patients who underwent repair of inguinal hernias or hydroceles at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Enugu. Participants were assigned to two groups: Group A received wound closure with triclosan-coated polyglactin-910 (Vicryl-Plus), and Group B received a single preoperative intravenous dose of ampicillin/cloxacillin 30 minutes before incision. All patients were followed up for 30 days. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 21.0. Categorical variables were summarized using frequencies and percentages, while continuous variables were analyzed using means and standard deviations. Chi-square tests assessed associations between categorical variables, and T-tests compared means. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results A total of 96 groin surgeries were performed on 86 patients, including 10 bilateral hernia repairs. There were 63 males (73.3%) and 23 females (26.7%). Forty-one (47.7%) had unilateral inguinal hernias, 10 (11.8%) bilateral hernias, and 35 (40.7%) hydroceles. Only one SSI (1.0%) occurred, observed in the antibiotic group (χ²=1.011, p = 0.315). Seroma occurred in 2.1% (1/48) of the Vicryl-Plus group and 4.2% (2/48) of the antibiotic group (χ²=0.344, p = 0.557). The SSI was superficial and resolved with an alternate-day dressing. Conclusion T riclosan-coated sutures and single-dose antibiotics showed similarly low SSI rates in pediatric groin surgeries. The only SSI occurred in the antibiotic group. Triclosan-coated sutures may reduce antibiotic use without compromising outcomes.