One pill before skin surgery may stop infections, study says

NCT ID NCT04580472

Ongoing Prevention Sponsor: Carilion Clinic Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Surgical Wound Infection

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

SURGICAL SITE INFECTION

Contacts and locations

Locations

Carilion Clinic

Roanoke, Virginia, 24016, United States

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