title: Postoperative infection in hand surgery. Cause, prevention, and treatment.
abstract: The consequences of postoperative infection in hand surgery are fortunately uncommon but can lead to severe disability. This article reviews the pathogenesis of infections and the role of antibiotics, skin preparation, and surgical technique in the development and prevention of infection. The final sections discuss the role that different disease states and different types of surgery have on the risk of postoperative infection.
authors.affiliation: St. Joseph's Hospital and Health Center, Ohio.
authors.forename: D B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Shapiro
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D004202:Disinfectants; D006225:Hand / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D011292:Premedication; D012307:Risk Factors; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000379:methods; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D004202:Disinfectants