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Updated: Aug 6, 2026

Multiplex Therapeutic Drug Monitoring by Isotope-dilution HPLC-MS/MS of Antibiotics in Critical Illnesses
Published on: August 30, 2018
Perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis: a critical review
1Department of Infectious Diseases, Ospedale S. Bortolo, Vicenza, Italy. faustodelalla@alice.it
Background:
The value of perioperative prophylaxis is established for clean-contaminated procedures. For clean surgery, prophylaxis traditionally has been reserved for prosthetic device implantation procedures.
Methods:
Review of pertinent English-language literature.
Current Recommendations:
Evidence suggests that prophylactic antibiotics are advisable for at least some non-prosthetic procedures and that glycopeptides might have a role for major prosthetic surgery in units with a high prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. In clean-contaminated surgery, cefazolin is recommended, although not for colorectal procedures or obstetric/gynecologic surgery that requires anti-anaerobic coverage.
Conclusion:
Antibiotic prophylaxis is generally overprescribed (i.e., given for too long). Short-duration prophylaxis is effective and safe.
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