[Antibiotic prophylaxis in general surgery].

Abstract

In their discussion of the problem of antibiotic prophylaxis in general surgery the authors maintain that routine-like antibiotic prophylaxis is not indicated in general surgery, but is superfluous and even harmful. So-called "b ind prophylaxis" is senseless and there is no "total prophylaxis". Antibiotic prophylaxis can be successful when it is selective, aimed, adapted to the individual subject and the antibiotic reaches an effective concentration at the appropriate moment not only in the serum but also in the tissues. Infection can be of exogenous and of endogenous origin. Prevention of exogenous infections does not depend upon antibiotic treatment. Antibiotic prophylaxis is contra-indicated when the operation is performed o a clean region. The problem of antibiotic prophylaxis in the course of operations of the bile duct, the stomach, the intestine and pancreas. during appendectomy and colorectal operations is discussed in detail. Post-operative infections of the respiratory tract cannot be prevented by antibiotic prophylaxis. Finally, the authors try to find an answer to the problem when and how antibiotic prophylaxis should be applied, what antibiotic should be used for how long and in what doses.