Abstract:

Infection remains a significant source of morbidity and expense in the treatment of surgical patients therefore, antibiotics continue to be an important part of the general surgeon's armamentarium. Unfortunately, physicians, and surgeons in particular, continue to order too many antibiotics too often, and for too long. Optimal use of antibiotics, as for any therapeutic modality, requires consideration of the risks and benefits associated with available agents and regimens. Although the desired benefit is always successful eradication or avoidance of offending pathogens, the best way to acheive that goal may not be obvious. Decisions regarding choice of antimicrobial agent, duration of therapy, and route of administration are primarily based upon anticipation of clinical efficacy.

Authors:

David Safran, M.D., University of South Alabama Medical Center, University of South Alabama College of Medicine, Mobile AL; J. Raymond Fletcher, M.D., University of South Alabama Medical Center, Mobile, AL

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