[Prophylactic antibiotic therapy for hernia repair]

Abstract

This article aims at outlining and recommending use of prophylactic antibiotic therapy for hernia repair according to literature and newly released guidelines. We do not recommend prophylaxis for elective repair of inguinal and ventral hernias in a low infection risk environment as Denmark except in patients with incisional hernia > 10 cm or presumed increased risk for wound infection, e.g. diabetes or immunosuppression. Antibiotic prophylaxis should always be used in emergent hernia repair. We recommend a prophylactic regimen of second-generation cephalosporin given as a single dose perioperatively.