Prophylactic antibiotics in surgery - Perioperative care

Prophylactic antibiotics in surgery

Specific guidelines regarding the use of perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis vary between hospitals but these are generally used if there is a significant risk of surgical site infection. They are indicated in most gastrointestinal surgery, neurosurgery, surgery involving insertion of a prosthesis (including joint replacement), transurethral prostate resection, coronary artery bypass surgery and lower limb vascular surgery. Prophylaxis for immunod-eficient patients requires expert microbiological advice.

However, it is important to note that antibiotic use is associated with acute hypersensitivity reactions, increasing antibiotic resistance and the development of pseudomembranous colitis.