Selection of new pathogens during antibiotic treatment or prolonged antibiotic prophylaxis in orthopedic surgery

Abstract

In orthopedic surgery regarding open or infected wounds, both the current antibiotic therapy as well as the perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis, may select new pathogens leading to iterative debridement and changing the antibiotic regimens targeting more resistant microorganisms. The risk of finding new and more resistant pathogens is relatively high (5%-15%) and exceeds the incidence of primary surgical site infections (SSI) after elective orthopedic surgery with primary wound closures. Based on a narrative review of the current scientific literature, we summarize mechanisms and associations of such a pathogen selection by therapeutic or prophylactic agents and focus on the importance of an adequate initial debridement and on an effective antibiotic stewardship.