What Is the Ideal Duration for Surgical Antibiotic Prophylaxis?

Abstract

Background: Surgical antibiotic prophylaxis practice became common in the 1970s and has since become almost universal. The earliest articles used three doses over 12 hours with the first being administered before the start of the operation. Conclusions: The duration of prophylaxis has varied widely in practice over time, but an increasing body of evidence has supported shorter durations, most recently with recommendations in influential guidelines to avoid administration after the incision is closed.

Keywords: Clostridioides difficile; antibiotic prophylaxis; antimicrobial resistance; antimicrobial stewardship; surgery; surgical site infection.