Wound infection and topical antibiotics: the surgeon's dilemma
N. A. Halasz
The topical use of antibiotics in surgical wounds is critically reviewed
and analyzed. Thirteen experimental and 19 clinical reports are included in
this review. Prospective and retrospective clinical studies have been
separated. The analysis evaluated clean vs contaminated/dirty wounds, as
well as the effects of various antibiotics and combinations. The conclusion
reached on the basis of the experimental and clinical data is that the
application of carefully selected topical antibiotics to surgical wounds,
particularly those that represent a high risk for the development of wound
infection, can be expected to diminish the incidence of this complication
in a significant fashion.
