Antiseptic and Antibiotic Stewardship in Dermatologic Surgery: Is Benzoyl Peroxide the Solution?

Objective: We sought to review published literature on antibiotic and antiseptic use and resistance, and explore the utility of benzoyl peroxide in this capacity for dermatologic surgery.

Methods: A literature review was performed to investigate the skin microbiome, guidelines on antibiotic and antiseptic use in dermatologic surgery, and the utility of benzoyl peroxide as an antiseptic.

Results: Antiseptics are commonly used in dermatologic surgery to prepare surgical sites, and antibiotics are also employed by some physicians to prevent post-operative infection despite the potential for antibiotic resistance. Benzoyl peroxide, known for its high threshold for antibiotic resistance, has been successfully used in orthopedic surgery to prevent surgical site infection, especially in sebaceous areas of the skin which house a distinct microbiota.

Limitations: Limitations to this review include lack of high-quality, adequately powered research and studies which evaluate the clinical impact of anti-septic use, particularly benzoyl peroxide use, in dermatologic surgery.

Conclusion: Benzoyl peroxide may be a used as an antiseptic in dermatologic surgery of sebaceous areas to prevent post-operative infections, with a low likelihood of causing microbial resistance.