Antimicrobial Prophylaxis in Surgery: An International Survey (Original Articles) (Report‪)‬

SURGICAL SITE INFECTIONS (SSIs) are among the most common nosocomial infections [1]. Antimicrobial prophylaxis (AMP) aims to prevent postoperative SSIs, lower postoperative morbidity and mortality rates, and reduce associated healthcare costs. The incidence of SSIs in patients undergoing clean extra-abdominal operations is as high as 5%, and almost 20% of patients undergoing intra-abdominal operations develop SSIs [2]. Several guidelines have been published for AMP in surgery [3-8]; and despite some minor disagreements, all adhere to the same basic principles: Selection of AMP agents on the basis of their efficacy against the pathogens that are expected to be contaminants, infusion of the first antimicrobial dose within 1 h of the incision, and discontinuation of AMP within 24 h after surgery. Despite the academic consensus regarding the proper application of AMP, studies around the world have shown that surgeons are reluctant to implement suggestions for short AMP regimens with properly selected antimicrobial agents in their everyday clinical practice [2,9]. We investigated current practice of AMP in surgery by performing an international survey.