Dr. Jessica Gahm has shown in a study that it is better to administer a single dose of antibiotics instead of multiple doses to prevent infections associated with breast implant surgeries. The study found that multiple doses resulted in more side effects. Based on this conclusion, a single dose of antibiotics is therefore recommended, which could eventually lead to a global shift in approach. And most importantly: help reduce antibiotic resistance.
The comprehensive study, led by Dr. Jessica Gahm and her research colleagues, compared the effectiveness of a single dose of antibiotics to multiple doses administered over a 24-hour period after surgery. The results showed no significant difference in the incidence of postoperative infections between the two groups. Furthermore, approximately 4.3% of patients needed their implants removed due to infection, regardless of whether they received a single dose or multiple doses of antibiotics.
Multiple doses = more side effects
An important finding was that patients who received multiple doses of antibiotics experienced more side effects. In the group receiving multiple doses, 16.4% of patients reported side effects, compared to 10.7% in the single-dose group. This suggests that a multi-dose regimen is not only unnecessary but also potentially harmful.
Implications for Healthcare
These new scientific findings could have a significant impact on healthcare. By limiting antibiotic use to a single dose, healthcare providers can reduce the risk of side effects and help combat the issue of antibiotic resistance. Furthermore, the study demonstrates that a single dose of antibiotics is sufficient to prevent infections, potentially leading to a global shift in how these surgeries are performed.
Recommendations
Based on the study’s results, the researchers recommend that healthcare providers use a single dose of antibiotics for implant-based breast reconstruction. This method is just as effective as multiple doses in preventing infections and has fewer side effects, making it a safer and more patient-friendly option.
Conclusion
Studien ger sammanfattningsvis ett starkt stöd för att en enda dos antibiotika är tillräcklig och säkrare för att förebygga infektioner efter bröstrekonstruktion med implantat. Vårdgivare uppmanas att ta del av studien i syfte att förbättra patientvården och minska antibiotikaförbrukningen.
The study is published in JAMA Network Open and represents an important step forward in understanding best practices for antibiotic prophylaxis in breast surgery.
Dr. Jessica Gahm
Consultant and Specialist in Plastic Surgery
Dr. Jessica Gahm has an exceptionally extensive background and list of accomplishments that cannot be fully captured in this brief overview. In addition to her role as a plastic surgeon at Victoriakliniken, she serves as a Consultant in Reconstructive Plastic Surgery at Karolinska Institutet, where she also is a medical doctor. She conducts research, lectures, trains surgeons, and mentors resident physicians, to name just a few of her contributions.
