Perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis in dermatosurgery-2019 status quo

Abstract

Perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis (PAP) is determined as ashort-term, in general single-shot administration of an antibiotic prior to asurgical intervention. The main goal of PAP is to reduce postoperative surgical site infections. In addition, PAP is administered to avoid development of bacterial endocarditis in patients who are at high risk. Regarding the increasing prescription of antibiotics by dermatologists and the rising emergence of resistant bacterial strains, arational use of PAP in dermatosurgery has to be demanded. Thus, identification of risk factors being determined either by the patient, the type of surgery or the location will help to identify those patients requiring PAP. Moreover, utilizing established criteria will avoid the unnecessary administration of PAP-which only creates afalse sense of safety.