Surgery>>>>>Patient Safety
Question 13#

Which of the following is the only thing that has been shown to decrease wound infections in surgical patients with contaminated wounds?

A. Use of iodophor-impregnated polyvinyl drapes
B. Saline irrigation of the peritoneum and wound
C. Antibiotic irrigation of the peritoneum and wound
D. 24 hours of appropriate antibiotics postoperatively (in addition to preoperative dose)

Correct Answer is B

Comment:

No prospective, randomized, double-blind, controlled studies exist that demonstrate antibiotics used beyond 24 hours in the perioperative period prevent infections. Prophylactic use of antibiotics should simply not be continued beyond this time. Irrigation of the operative field and the surgical wound with saline solution has shown benefit in controlling wound inoculum. Irrigation with an antibiotic-based solution has not demonstrated significant benefit in controlling postoperative infection.