Antibiotic prophylaxis: current recommendations.

Abstract

Antibiotic prophylaxis consists of a brief course of antibiotics initiated preoperatively in order to decrease the risk of postoperative wound infection in the patient with a clean wound. The antibiotic should be started within 60 minutes before skin incision and continued for not more than 24 hours. Antibiotic therapy is indicated for the contaminated or dirty wound. In open fractures, antibiotics should be started as soon as possible after injury and continued for 3 days (type I and II fractures) or 5 days (type III). This treatment should be combined with local therapy consisting of antibiotic-impregnated polymethylmethacrylate beads. Although the utility of antibiotics in low-velocity gunshot wounds is controversial, high-velocity gunshot wounds should be treated with 48 to 72 hours of antibiotic therapy.

• Authors: Paul D Holtom
• Journal: The Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (J Am Acad Orthop Surg) Vol. 14 Issue 10 Spec No. Pg. S98-100 ( 2006) ISSN: 1067-151X [Print] United States
• PMID: 17003220 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Anti-Bacterial Agents

Topics

• Anti-Bacterial Agents (therapeutic use)
• Antibiotic Prophylaxis (methods)
• Humans
• Practice Guidelines as Topic
• Preoperative Care (methods)
• Wound Infection (prevention & control)
• Wounds and Injuries (surgery)