Prophylactic Use of Antibiotics for Through and Through Lacerations of the Lip
Status:
Terminated
Trial end date:
2011-08-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Facial lacerations are a commonly encountered problem in the emergency department. Despite
this, few original articles have been written concerning the management of lacerations of the
lip which communicate with the oral cavity. Specifically, no study has been able to
definitively show whether the use of antibiotics for these wounds decreases the infection
rate. These cutaneous wounds are a unique type of laceration because they are continuously
contaminated with oropharyngeal flora. Contaminated wounds result in larger, less cosmetic
scars. Scars which involve the face have been shown to have a negative psychological impact.
In this study, the investigators aim to determine whether the use of antibiotics decrease the
rate of infection in lacerations of the lip which communicate with the oral cavity. Patients
will be randomized to one of two currently practiced therapies. Patients will receive either
cephalexin or no treatment following the repair of their through-and-through lip lacerations
to determine whether antibiotics decrease the infection rate in these wounds.