Preoperative Antibiotic Use in Diabetic Foot Infections
Author Information
Author(s): Muri Thaddaeus, Schöni Madlaina, Waibel Felix W. A., Altmann Dominique, Sydler Christina, Furrer Pascal R., Napoli Francesca, Uçkay İlker
Primary Institution: Balgrist University Hospital
Hypothesis
Does preoperative antibiotic administration improve outcomes in operated diabetic foot infections?
Conclusion
Preoperative antibiotic therapy does not improve postoperative outcomes in operated diabetic foot infections.
Supporting Evidence
- 74% of patients received presurgical antibiotics despite guidelines against it.
- Preoperative antibiotics were moderately associated with overall postsurgical failure.
- Duration of preoperative and postoperative antibiotic therapy had no significant effect on outcomes.
Takeaway
Giving antibiotics before surgery for foot infections in diabetes doesn't help patients get better.
Methodology
Retrospective analysis of moderate to severe diabetic foot infection cases to assess the impact of preoperative antibiotic therapy.
Potential Biases
Confounding by indication due to the retrospective design.
Limitations
The study is retrospective and focused on moderate to severe cases, limiting generalizability to mild infections.
Participant Demographics
1235 cases, 22% female, 84% type II diabetes, 75% on insulin, 57% active smokers.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.03
Confidence Interval
95% CI 0.99–1.01
Statistical Significance
p = 0.03
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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