Antibiotic prophylaxis in periodontal surgery. A retrospective study.

Antibiotics are frequently used in periodontal and minor oral surgery to prevent complications. The potential disadvantages of antibiotic prophylaxis are well documented. This study compares the incidence of complications for procedures performed with and without antibiotic prophylaxis. The clinical records of 1499 patients who received treatment at a university teaching hospital were reviewed. 1078 surgical procedures were done on 596 patients. 895 surgical procedures were done without prophylactic antibiotics, with 17 complications (1.9 per cent). 183 procedures were done using antibiotic prophylaxis, with 1 complication (0.55 per cent). The difference between the incidences of complications in the two groups was not statistically significant (P < 0.001). In view of the questionable benefits and potential disadvantages of using antibiotics, their routine use during or following periodontal surgery must be questioned.