title: Trends in infection prophylaxis in orthopaedics.
abstract: The current measures employed by consultant orthopaedic surgeons in Scotland to prevent infection were established by postal questionnaire. Our findings were compared with those of a similar study carried out 5 years previously. An increasing number of surgeons use routine systemic antibiotic prophylaxis for total hip arthroplasty (99% versus 91% 5 years ago), in treating compound fractures (89% versus 75% 5 years ago) and for internal fixation of closed fractures with metal implants (49% versus 12% 5 years ago). Cephalosporins are increasingly used as the antibiotic of choice. By starting antibiotics earlier than the day of surgery or continuing for more than 24 h after surgery, just over half the surgeons questioned administer antibiotics for longer than would seem to be necessary for elective surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Victoria Infirmary, Glasgow, UK.
authors.forename: W J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Leach
authors.forename: N I
authors.initials: NI
authors.lastname: Wilson
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000601:surgery*; D006622:Hip Prosthesis; D006801:Humans; D011292:Premedication; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents