Antibiotic prophylaxis

Question 1

What is the aim of antibiotic prophylaxis?

Answer 1

Prevent surgical site infection

Question 2

How are procedures classified?

Answer 2

Clean
Clean - contaminated
Contaminated
Dirty/infected

Question 3

What is a clean procedure?

Answer 3

Uninfected operative wound in which no inflammation is encountered

Respiratory, alimentary, genital or uninfected urinary tracts are not entered

No prophylaxis required

Question 4

What is a clean-contaminated procedure?

Answer 4

Operative wound in which respiratory, alimentary, genital or urinary tract is entered under controlled conditions

e.g. biliary tract, appendix

Induction dose

Question 5

What is a contaminated procedure?

Answer 5

Open fresh accidental wounds
Operation with major breaks in sterile technique
Incisions in which acute, non-purulent inflammation is encountered

Question 6

What is a dirty/infected procedure?

Answer 6

Old traumatic wounds with clinical infection
Organisms causing post-op infection present prior to surgery

Up to 5 days antibiotics