Six Long-Standing Questions about Antibiotic Prophylaxis in Surgery

Surgical site infections (SSIs) are the most common adverse event occurring in surgical patients. Optimal prevention of SSIs requires the bundled integration of a variety of measures before, during, and after surgery. Surgical antibiotic prophylaxis (SAP) is an effective measure for preventing SSIs. It aims to counteract the inevitable introduction of bacteria that colonize skin or mucosa into the surgical site during the intervention. This document aims to guide surgeons in appropriate administration of SAP by addressing six key questions. The expert panel identifies a list of principles in response to these questions that every surgeon around the world should always respect in administering SAP.

Automated summary

Surgical site infections (SSIs) are a common adverse event in surgical patients and can be prevented through measures such as surgical antibiotic prophylaxis (SAP). This document provides guidance for surgeons on the appropriate use of SAP, addressing key questions and outlining principles that should be followed worldwide by all surgeons.