Abdominoplasty is a common aesthetic procedure performed after significant weight loss, childbirth, or from the results of aging by removing excess skin tissue around the lower trunk. Infection is a common complication following this surgical procedure. However, the use of prophylactic antibiotics remains controversial in an uncomplicated operation as it may not be needed and result in antibiotic resistance.   For these reasons, this study aims to study if antibiotic prophylaxis reduces the risk of infection following abdominoplasty.

This systematic review ultimately included 42 studies with 1748 abdominoplasty patients. This study looked at patient indications for surgery and operative techniques (including antibiotic prophylaxis). All patients were treated with first or second generation cephalosporins. Prophylactic antibiotic use was given at a dose of 1 – 2 g peri-operatively and then followed by 1 g three times a day. Infection rate was reported at (7%[68]–8%[78]) among abdominoplasty patients. Antibiotic use was recommended as it was associated with a reduced number of infection rates. 

This study showed antibiotic therapy using first and second generation cephalosporins peri-operatively and post-operatively was associated with lower risk of infection. However, this study aimed to study several aspects of abdominoplasty such as preoperative assessment, use of liposuction, antibiotic prophylaxis, and thromboprophylaxis. As a result, the study did not study in depth the use of antibiotic prophylaxis and only provided a general statement that antibiotic therapy was found to reduce infection rates and recommended. A meta-analysis that focused solely on the use of antibiotic prophylaxis would provide more detailed data and a stronger study.