[Peri- and postoperative preventive use of antibiotics in accident surgery]

To systematize the application of prophylactic antibiotics the classification of wounds into 4 groups is recommended corresponding to the risk of infection. Wounds without bacterial contamination, type 1: Prophylactic antibiotics are not indicated. Wounds type 2: Surgical and chemical decontamination have priority over antibiotics. Wounds type 3: Early antibiotic treatment is indicated if a sufficient débridement is not possible because of anatomical or cosmetical reasons. Wounds type 4: Delayed treatment of open fractures, treatment of infected fractures and fractures with faecal contamination require antibiotic therapy.