Effect of antibiotic solution flushing on prevention of pacemaker pocket infection in elderly patients

AIM To evaluate the infection preventative effect of antibiotic solution flushing in the pacemaker pocket during the implantation procedure in elderly patients. METHODS One hundred and twenty-two cases with pacemaker implantation were randomized into preventative group and control group. The operation methods of the two groups were the same. Antibiotics via vein were used for seven days and stitches were taken out on the seventh day after pacemaker implantation in the two groups. Follow-up was conducted in 1, 3, 6, 12 months, and 3 years after pacemaker implantation. RESULTS One case suffered from pacemaker pocket infection in each group, which occurred on the fourth and the seventh day respectively. The incidence of pocket infection in the two group was similar. CONCLUSION Pacemaker pocket flushing with antibiotic solution is not very effective in reducing pocket infection during the implantation procedure in elderly patients.