The use of systemic prophylactic
antibiotics to reduce
surgical-site infection in esthetic breast surgery remains controversial, although the majority of surgeons prefer to utilize
antibiotics to prevent
infection. Nonetheless, postoperative acute and
subclinical infection and capsular
fibrosis are among the most common complications following implant-based
breast reconstruction. After esthetic breast augmentation, up to 2.9% of women develop
infection, with an incidence rate of 1.7% for acute
infections and 0.8% for late
infections. After postmastectomy reconstruction (secondary reconstruction), the rates are even higher. The microorganisms seen in acute
infections are Gram-positive, whereas subclinical late
infections involving microorganisms are typically Gram-negative and from normal skin flora with low virulence. In primary implantation, a weight-based dosing of
cefazolin is adequate, an extra duration of
antibiotic cover does not provide further reduction in superficial or periprosthetic
infections.
Clindamycin and
vancomycin are recommended alternative for patients with β-
lactam allergies. The spectrum of microorganism found in late
infections varies (Gram-positive and Gram-negative), and the
antibiotic prophylaxis (
fluoroquinolones) should be extended by
vancomycin and according to the antibiogram when replacing implants and in secondary
breast reconstruction, to target microorganisms associated with capsular
contracture. All preoperative
antibiotics should be administered <60 minutes before incision to guarantee high serum levels during
surgical procedure.