Title
Antibiotic Prophylaxis for Simple Hand Lacerations
Antibiotic Prophylaxis for Prevention of Infection in Emergency Department Patients With Simple Hand Lacerations
Phase
N/ALead Sponsor
State University of New YorkStudy Type
InterventionalStatus
Terminated Results PostedIndication/Condition
Simple Hand LacerationsIntervention/Treatment
clindamycin cephalexin ...Study Participants
73Research Question: In emergency department patients with simple hand cuts, do prophylactic antibiotics reduce the risk of wound infections?
Simple hand lacerations, defined as hand lacerations that do not involve special structures such as bones, tendons, vessels, or nerves, are common in the emergency departments. The exact rate of infection in such wounds is unclear. It is also not clear whether prescribing prophylactic antibiotics reduces the risk of infection in simple hand lacerations. The objective of this randomized double blind controlled study is to: 1. Identify the rate of infection in simple hand lacerations, 2. Identify factors or wound characteristics that increase the risk of infection, and 3. Assess whether prescribing prophylactic antibiotics decreases the risk of infections in such wounds compared to placebo.
500 mg (two 250 mg capsules) every 6 hours for 7 days
300 mg of clindamycin (two 150 mg capsules) every 6 hours for 7 days
Two placebo capsules every 6 hours for 7 days
clindamycin 300 mg (two 150 mg capsules) every 6 hours for 7 days
Inclusion Criteria: All adult patients (≥ 18 years of age) presenting to the ED with simple hand lacerations. Anatomically, lacerations distal to the radial carpal ligament will be considered "hand" lacerations. "Simple" or "uncomplicated" laceration refers to one that does not involve any special tissue (bone, tendon, blood vessel, or nerve). Exclusion Criteria: Immunocompromised patients (cancer, chemotherapy, transplant, HIV/AIDs) Current or recent (within two weeks) use of any antibiotics Allergy to clindamycin or cephalexin Bites (e.g. dog, cat, or human) Lacerations resulted from crush injury Lacerations involving bone, tendon, blood vessel, or nerve Lacerations inflicted more than 12 hours prior to ED visit Pregnant or breast-feeding women
| Event Type | Organ System | Event Term | Clindamycin | Cepahlexin | Placebo |
|---|
Hand lacerations will be examined 10-14 days after initial wound closure and will be assessed for presence of infection.
