SURGICAL PROPHYLAXIS AND INICIAL ANTIBIOTIC THERAPY

Abstract

Surgical wound infection is the result of a complex interaction between bacteria inoculated within the wound during surgery and the host's local and systemic resistance to infection. The main benefit of preoperative antibiotic is the reduction of the viable inoculum in the wound during surgical incision. On the other hand, empirical antibiotic therapy is defined as antibiotic treatment based on clinical considerations, knowledge of the most frequently involved pathogens and local susceptibility patterns. In this article we will make a practical review of fundamental concepts in the rational use of antibiotics in surgery