[Antimicrobial prophylaxis in surgery]

Abstract

Antimicrobial prophylaxis is an important factor influencing the risk of infection at the spot of surgical interventions (SSI). SSIs are the most important nosocomial infections of hospitalized surgical patients; they are responsible for increases of 10 to 20 % in the total costs of treatment. The efficacy of antimicrobial prophylaxis hinges on four basic factors. The first is a correctly indicated prophylaxis (in surgical operations with a confirmed reduction of SSI risk after prophylaxis and/or in cases of surgical operations, where a possible early or organ SSI could have tragic consequences). The second factor is the choice of the best possible antimicrobial for a specific indication. The third factor is the best possible time for the administration of prophylaxis (in most indications at the beginning of anaesthesia). The fourth factor influencing the efficacy of prophylaxis is its administration for only the absolutely minimum time period necessary (in most indications best is a single administration, possibly including a second peroperative ATB dose). The high rate of errors in the actual practice of prophylaxis and the confirmed efficacy of implementing local recommendations indicate that it is absolutely necessary to define national and local recommendations for antimicrobial prophylaxis, to ensure that surgeons adhere to these recommendations and to initiate SSI surveillance in the Czech Republic.