General principles

If peritonitis or an abscess is detected during the procedure or if peritoneal soiling occurs, give the patient an appropriate course of antibiotic treatment (see Peritonitis due to perforated viscus).

Prophylaxis against enterococcal endocarditis is indicated for patients with specific cardiac conditions (see here) who are undergoing abdominal surgery for which surgical antibiotic prophylaxis is required. If the surgical antibiotic prophylaxis regimen does not include an antibiotic active against enterococci (eg amoxicillin, ampicillin, vancomycin), see Endocarditis prophylaxis for genitourinary and gastrointestinal tract procedures for appropriate add-on recommendations.

Prophylaxis against enterococcal endocarditis may also be required for patients with specific cardiac conditions (see here) who are undergoing abdominal surgery for which surgical antibiotic prophylaxis is not required, if the patient has an established gastrointestinal infection—see Endocarditis prophylaxis for genitourinary and gastrointestinal tract procedures.