Antimicrobial Prophylaxis for Surgery Antimicrobial prophylaxis can decrease the incidence of infection, particularly surgical site infection, after certain procedures. Recommendations for prevention of surgical site infection are listed in Table 1. Antimicrobial prophylaxis for dental procedures to prevent endocarditis is discussed in The Medical Letter 2007; 49:99.

CHOICE OF A PROPHYLACTIC AGENT

An effective prophylactic regimen should be directed against the most likely infecting organisms, but need not eradicate every potential pathogen. For most procedures, the first-generation cephalosporin cefazolin (Ancef, and others), which is active against many staphylococci and streptococci, remains effective. For procedures that might involve exposure to bowel anaerobes, including Bacteroides fragilis, the ... more      

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