The role of prophylactic antibiotics in preventing surgical site infections (SSI) for clean procedures like groin hernia repair remains controversial. This study aimed to evaluate the association between antibiotic prophylaxis and SSI rates in a real-world clinical setting and to identify independent risk factors for SSI. The study prospectively followed 100 male patients undergoing elective open groin hernioplasty. Patients were categorized based on the surgeon's decision into two groups: those who received a single dose of intravenous cefazolin (Antibiotic Group) and those who did not (No Antibiotic Group). The main outcome was the rate of SSI within 30 days of surgery.