Trends in infection prophylaxis in orthopaedics
Leach, W.J.; Wilson, N.I.
Journal of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh 37(4): 265-266
1992
ISSN/ISBN: 0035-8835 PMID: 1383529 Document Number: 402959
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.