Antimicrobial Prophylaxis in Colorectal Surgery: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials

Abstract

Authors' conclusions The use of antimicrobial prophylaxis is efficacious in the prevention of SWI in colorectal surgery. With the exception of a few inadequate regimens, there is no significant difference in the rate of SWI between many regimens. The use of a multiple-dose regimen may be unnecessary for the prevention of SWI, as single-dose regimens have been demonstrated to be as efficacious as multiple dosing and in addition, may be associated with less toxicity, fewer adverse events, less risk of developing bacterial resistance and lower costs. Similarly, no convincing evidence supports the idea that the new-generation cephalosporins are more efficacious than first-generation cephalosporins in preventing SWI in colorectal surgery.