General principles

The following advice applies to patients with superficial surgical site infection for which antibiotic therapy is indicated (ie skin infection with associated cellulitis, or infection of the subcutaneous tissues). Antibiotic choice depends on whether Gram-positive bacteria or Gram-negative or anaerobic bacteria are suspected.

The regimens below (with the exception of clindamycin and the trimethoprim+sulfamethoxazole–based regimen) are not effective against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Add therapy for MRSA for patients at increased risk of MRSA (see Risk factors for infection with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) or who do not improve with empirical therapy. Antibiotic choice depends on the susceptibility of the patient’s isolate or local susceptibility data.