Comparing the Effectiveness of Vancomycin and Cefazolin in Preventing Post craniotomy Surgical Site Infections

Abstract

Background: Surgical Site Infection (SSI) after neurosurgical procedures is one of the most common types of hospital infection, on which different results have been reported regarding the effectiveness of antibiotic use. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of vancomycin and cefazolin in preventing SSI after elective craniotomy. Methods: This was a double-blind interventional clinical trial conducted among 126 participants (63 in the vancomycin group and 63 in the cefazolin group). The criterion for measuring wound infection was CRP (C-reactive protein) and ESR (Erythrocyte sedimentation rate) on the first and fifth day after surgery, patient's clinical symptoms and wound. Data were analyzed using Chi-square and Independent t-test. Findings: In total, 9 people in the two groups developed infections after surgery, with 6 people (67) in the cefazolin group and 3 people (33) in the vancomycin group. The mean CRP level on the first and fifth days in the cefazolin group was significantly higher than the vancomycin group. There were no significant differences in the study groups in terms of length of hospitalization after infection, interval between surgery and time of infection, ESR at the time of infection, length of operation (hours), type of infection and type of organism. Conclusion: According to the results, there was no difference between the use of cefazolin and vancomycin in reducing the rate of surgical site infection. The rate of surgical site infection in this study was higher compared to the results of other studies. © 2023 Isfahan University of Medical Sciences(IUMS). All rights reserved.