Topical antibodies for prophylaxis against umbilical wound infection in laparoscopic cholecystectomy

In order to assess the role of topical antibiotics in the prevention of umbilical wound infection in laparoscopic cholecystectomy, 61 patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy from December 1996 to January 1998 were studied. The patients were randomized in two groups. The umbilical wound of 31 patients in group A were irrigated with 200 ml of isotonic saline whereas the wounds of 30 patients in group B were irrigated with 1200 mg of lincomycin dissolved in 200 ml of isotonic saline. Significant difference in the rate of wound infection was found in both the groups [3/31 vs 0/30, p<0.05]. The difference in hospital stay was not found to be statistically significant [2.3 vs 1.9]