Umbilical Port-Site Complications in Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: Role of Topical Antibiotic Therapy

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Umbilical port-site infections after video-laparoscopic cholecystectomy (VLC) are frequent complications. The aim of this prospective randomized study was to verify the validity of topical rifamycin for prevention of post-VLC umbilical infections. METHODS: From September 2006 to April 2007, 48 patients with uncomplicated cholelithiasis who underwent VLC were enrolled in the study. Enrolled patients were randomized into 2 groups. The first group of 24 patients was treated with topical rifamycin to the umbilicus. The second group of 24 patients was not treated with rifamycin. RESULTS: Postoperative umbilical pain with a need for analgesics, presence of signs of inflammation of the umbilical wound, dehiscence of the umbilical skin sutures, and the presence of incisional umbilical hernia on the 60th postoperative day were statistically significantly better in the rifamycin group compared with the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Topical administration of rifamycin to the umbilicus in the pre-, intra- and postoperative periods was a rapid, safe, and economic way to reduce infective complications after VLC.