Baseline characteristics*
| Cephalexin (n=24) | Placebo (n=28) | |
|---|---|---|
| Age (years) | 69.5 [61.25–78.75] | 69.5 [59.25–75.75] |
| Male | 54.2 (13) | 53.6 (15) |
| Occupation | ||
| Retired | 58.3 (14) | 60.7 (17) |
| Unemployed | 0 (0) | 10.7 (3) |
| Working | 41.7 (10) | 28.6 (8) |
| Smoking status | ||
| Current smoker | 8.3 (2) | 7.1 (2) |
| Ex-smoker | 50 (12) | 35.7 (10) |
| Never smoked | 41.7 (10) | 57.1 (16) |
| Alcohol consumption | ||
| Non-drinker | 45.8 (11) | 32.1 (9) |
| Occasional (<1 day/week) | 16.7 (4) | 21.4 (6) |
| Weekly | 37.5 (9) | 39.3 (11) |
| Comorbid conditions† | 87.5 (21) | 67.9 (19) |
| Diabetes | 25.0 (6) | 21.4 (6) |
| Anticoagulant use‡ | 29.2 (7) | 25 (7) |
| Antihypertensive use | 70.8 (17) | 50.0 (14) |
| Time from pill consumption to excision (min) | 61.5 [50–75] | 60 [48.25–65.75] |
| Below knee | 83.3 (20) | 82.1 (23) |
| Excision size (mm) | 22.5 [17.25–31.75] | 28.5 [22–36] |
| Type of repair | ||
| Simple closure | 45.8 (11) | 60.7 (17) |
| Two-layer closure | 50 (12) | 32.1 (9) |
| Skin flaps | 4.2 (1) | 7.1 (2) |
| Histology | ||
| NMSC | 75.0 (18) | 75.0 (21) |
| Melanoma | 4.2 (1) | 3.6 (1) |
| Other benign | 21.4 (6) | 29.2 (7) |
*Data are median [IQR] or percentage (number).
†Comorbid conditions included; cephalexin group: hypertension (n=15), COPD 3, regular oral steroids (n=0), regular inhaled steroids (n=0), PVD (n=1), IHD (n=0) current cancer (n=0), other (n=12); placebo group: hypertension (n=11), COPD 1, regular oral steroids (n=0), regular inhaled steroids (n=1), PVD (n=0), IHD (n=1) current cancer (n=0), other (n=14).
‡Cephalexin group: aspirin (n=7), clopidogrel (n=0) and/or warfarin (n=1); placebo group: aspirin (n=5), clopidogrel (n=1) and/or warfarin (n=1).
COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; IHD, ischaemic heart disease; NMSC, non-melanomatous skin cancers; PVD, peripheral vascular disease.