Antibiotic prophylaxis after thoracic drainage: Standard practice or unproven habit?

Background: The prescription of antibiotics after thoracic drainage varies among surgical teams and is often based on local habits rather than evidence.

Objective: To assess the necessity and impact of postoperative antibiotic prophylaxis following thoracic drainage in a standardized surgical context.

Methods: A retrospective descriptive study including 163 patients who underwent thoracic drainage in a single surgical unit under uniform procedural conditions.

Results: 18 patients developed post-drainage infectious complications. No mortality was reported.

Conclusion: Antibiotic prophylaxis in thoracic drainage remains controversial and should be considered based on individual patient risk factors and institutional infection profiles.