Nonantibiotic measures to prevent postoperative infections

Surgical antibiotic prophylaxis should not be the only strategy used to prevent postoperative infection. The risk of postoperative infection is reduced by a comprehensive approach to patient management, including optimal perioperative medical management (eg perioperative glycaemic control), adequate debridement, and good surgical technique. However, if there are nonmodifiable risk factors (eg excessive soiling, tissue damage), optimal patient management cannot eliminate the risk of postoperative infection.

Nonantibiotic measures to prevent infection are examined in guidelines issued by the World Health Organization12 and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention3. See also Prevention of surgical wound complications.

1 Allegranzi B, Bischoff P, de Jonge S, Kubilay NZ, Zayed B, Gomes SM, et al. New WHO recommendations on preoperative measures for surgical site infection prevention: an evidence-based global perspective. Lancet Infect Dis 2016;16(12):e276-e87. [URL]Return
2 Allegranzi B, Zayed B, Bischoff P, Kubilay NZ, de Jonge S, de Vries F, et al. New WHO recommendations on intraoperative and postoperative measures for surgical site infection prevention: an evidence-based global perspective. Lancet Infect Dis 2016;16(12):e288-e303. [URL]Return
3 Berrios-Torres SI, Umscheid CA, Bratzler DW, Leas B, Stone EC, Kelz RR, et al. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Guideline for the Prevention of Surgical Site Infection, 2017. JAMA Surg 2017. [URL]Return