Surgery>>>>>Patient Safety
Question 18#

All of the following are true statements regarding wound infection EXCEPT:

A. Irrigation of the operative field and surgical wound with saline solution is beneficial
B. Prophylactic use of antibiotics continued beyond 48 hours is beneficial
C. Irrigation with an antibiotic-based solution has not been shown to be beneficial
D. Antibacterial-impregnated polyvinyl placed over the operative wound area for the duration of the surgical procedure is not beneficial

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. 

Antibacterial-impregnated polyvinyl placed over the operative wound area for the duration of the surgical procedure has not been shown to decrease the rate of wound infection. Although skin preparation with 70% isopropyl alcohol has the best bactericidal effect, it is flammable and could be hazardous when electrocautery is used. The contemporary formulas of chlorhexidine gluconate with isopropyl alcohol remain more advantageous.