Perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis from the microbiological viewpoint

: The practice of using antibiotic prophylaxis before surgery has evolved greatly in the past 20 years and is regarded as the third cornerstone in the prevention of postoperative wound infections. In contrast to asepsis and antisepsis, which have been standard techniques for almost a century, perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis is all too frequently administered in a suboptimal fashion. During the last few years, improvements in the timing of initial administration, the appropriate choice of antibiotic agents in each clinical setting, and the limitation of the duration of administration have defined more clearly the value of this technique in reducing postoperative wound infections. Implementation of these guidelines must be regarded as major issues in improving the quality of care in surgery.