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Semin Plast Surg 2006; 20(4): 241-248
DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-951582
Copyright © 2006 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Infection Prophylaxis Update

Patrick Hsu1 , Jamal Bullocks1 , Martha Matthews2
  • 1Division of Plastic Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
  • 2Division of Plastic Surgery, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Cooper Health System, Camden, New Jersey
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Publication History

Publication Date:
18 October 2006 (online)

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ABSTRACT

The use of prophylactic antibiotics in surgery has been debated for numerous years. Although their indications have been elucidated in the general surgery literature, their role in plastic surgery has yet to be clearly defined. Although the incidence of surgical site infections in clean, elective plastic surgery procedures has been reported to be as low as 1.1%, the use of antibiotics has surged over the past 20 years. Much of the increased use has been attributed to common surgical practice and fear of legal ramifications rather than empirically based data. In contrast, there remain numerous physicians who argue against routine antibiotic use in plastic surgery. This article summarizes the recent literature on infection prophylaxis and advises physicians to consider relative risks and benefits when deciding which patients should receive prophylactic antibiotics.

KEYWORDS

Prophylaxis - surgical site infections - antibiotics - plastic surgery

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Patrick HsuM.D. 

Baylor College of Medicine, Division of Plastic Surgery

1709 Dryden, Suite 1600, Houston, TX 77030