title: Antibiotic prophylaxis in colorectal surgery.
abstract: Nosocomial infections are the most frequent complications observed in surgical patients. In colorectal surgery, the opening of the viscera causes the dissemination into the operative field of microorganisms originating from endogenous sources, increasing the chance of developing postoperative complications. It is reported that without antibiotic prophylaxis, wound infection after colorectal surgery develops in approximately 40% of patients. This percentage decreases to approximately 11% after antibiotic prophylaxis. Specific criteria in the choice of correct antibiotic prophylaxis have to be respected, on the basis of the microorganisms usually found in the surgical site, and on the specific hospital microbiologic epidemiology.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Insubria, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria, Fondazione Macchi, Varese, Italy. francesca.rovera@uninsubria.it
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rovera
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Diurni
authors.forename: Gianlorenzo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dionigi
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Boni
authors.forename: Alberta
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ferrari
authors.forename: Giulio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Carcano
authors.forename: Renzo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dionigi
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019072:Antibiotic Prophylaxis / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D003107:Colorectal Surgery / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents