One pill before skin surgery may stop infections, study says
NCT ID NCT04580472
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 2 times
Summary
This study tests whether a single dose of oral antibiotic (cephalexin or clindamycin) given before certain skin surgeries can prevent surgical site infections. About 574 adults having skin flaps, grafts, or lower-leg procedures will be randomly assigned to receive either the antibiotic or a placebo. Researchers will track infections for 30 days after surgery.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
Cephalexin or Clindamycin hydrochloride (single oral dose)
What this could lead to
If it works, this could show that a single antibiotic dose before certain skin surgeries prevents infections, potentially reducing the need for longer antibiotic courses.
What could go wrong
This is a single-center trial, so results may not apply everywhere. The infection rate in skin surgery is already low, so the benefit may be small or not statistically significant.
Disclaimer
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This is a summary of
the original study
.
Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
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Locations
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Carilion Clinic
Roanoke, Virginia, 24016, United States