Effect of gentamicin-containing collagen sponges on surgical site infection after hand-assisted laparoscopic donor nephrectomy

BACKGROUND: Postoperative surgical site infection (SSI) can be considered a frequent complication of hand-assisted laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (HALDN). Since 2007, our center used routinely a gentamicin-containing collagen sponge (GCCS) when closing the wound. The effect of GCCS on SSI is not elucidated clearly. In this retrospective cohort study, we assessed the effects of GCCS on SSI after HALDN.

METHODS: Between December 2004 and November 2007, we treated 100 patients without GCCS, and from November 2007 to July 2010, there were 100 patients with GCCS placed after HALDN. A SSI was defined as an incisional infection that required an intervention such as opening of the site or antibiotic treatment within 90 days after surgery.

RESULTS: Implantation of a GCCS resulted in a statistically significant reduction in the SSI rate, from 6% to 0 (p=0.01). All infections occurred in the Pfannenstiel incision site. There was no significant difference between the groups in the creatinine concentration after three months.

CONCLUSIONS: The use of gentamicin-containing collagen sponges reduces the risk of SSI significantly after HALDN without compromising kidney function.