[Effectiveness of antimicrobial prophylaxis in prevention of surgical site infections]

Preventing surgical site infection (SSI) is important in providing safe and high-quality surgical care. Antimicrobial prophylaxis is given to prevent SSI. Many reports revealed that antimicrobial prophylaxis is effective to reduce SSI rates, when its initial dose is given at proper timing and additional dose is properly given in longer operations. Initial dose of antimicrobial prophylaxis is recommended to be administered within one hour before starting operation. Additional dose is recommended to be administered each two to three hours in longer operations. Antimicrobial prophylaxis should be given according to pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics (PK/PD). Beta-lactam drugs are recommended to be administered three or four times a day to obtain longer time above MIC and effective antimicrobial activity. In United States, Surgical Care Improvement Project (SCIP) is ongoing to reduce complications after surgery. Proper usage of antimicrobial prophylaxis is strongly recommended to reduce SSI in this project. Surgical team hopes to reduce SSI by proper administration of antimicrobial prophylaxis with the cooperatiing of anesthesiologists and operating room staffs.