[Wound infections in abdominal surgery: aetiology, risk factors, antibiotic prophylaxis]

Nosocomial infections are the major cause for morbidity and mortality in hospital. In Germany 3.5 % of patients developed nosocomial infections, 15 % of these are wound infections post surgery. Asepsis, proper surgical technique and identifying patients at risk of infections and antibiotic prophylaxis are the most effective measures to reduce postoperative wound infection rate. To identify patients at risk by traditional wound classification system alone seems to be insufficient. Risk factors others than the suspected contamination rate at the end of the operation have to be detected. Indication, choice of the antibiotic agent and timing of antibiotic prophylaxis will be discussed.