Antibiotic Prophylaxis Strategies and Surgical Site Infections in Colorectal Surgery

Which antibiotic prophylaxis regimens are associated with the lowest risk of surgical site infections (SSIs) among patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery?In this systematic review and network meta-analysis of 105 randomized clinical trials with 18 273 patients, broad-spectrum penicillins and cephalosporin-based regimens had the strongest associations with reduced risk of SSIs. Regimens including broad-spectrum penicillins were also associated with decreased risk of mortality, but there were no significant differences among regimens with regard to hospital length of stay or adverse events.In this study, broad-spectrum penicillins and cephalosporin-based regimens were most strongly associated with SSI prevention, highlighting antibiotic class selection as a key factor in colorectal surgery prophylaxis.

Corresponding Author: Mark Loeb, MD, MSc, Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, 1280 Main St W, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, Canada (loebm@mcmaster.ca).

Link to the article in your story

We encourage you to link out to this article in your story using the link below. It includes an access token that will give free access to the article for your readers up to one year after publication. (The link will be live after the article publishes and embargo is lifted.)

Please see the article for additional information, including full author list, author contributions and affiliations, conflict of interest and financial disclosures, and funding and support.

Need more information? Contact us.