Antibiotic Update for the Surgeon

The number of antimicrobial agents that have been introduced into clinical practice continues to increase. This development, however, is not unique to the antibiotic field. All one has to do is to look at the burgeoning number of compounds for antiinflammatory or cardiovascular indications to recognise that the pharmaceutical industry continues to provide us with new compounds of increased potency and broadened therapeutic applicability. On the other hand, not all new drug introductions represent clinical breakthroughs. Some agents can be, quite frankly, classified as 'me too' drugs. Nonetheless, even a fairly simple congener could be a welcome addition to the therapeutic armamentarian if it is safer, less toxic, cheaper, and more convenient to use than previously available therapy.