Choosing an appropriate prophylactic antibiotic for surgical procedures
- Antibiotics should be chosen on the basis of their effectiveness against the pathogens most likely to be encountered rather than against every possible pathogen. Skin flora (eg, Staphylococcus) are the usual target, so the first-generation cephalosporins are recommended (cefazolin) in most studies. Some studies also recommend cefuroxime.
- Patients with a history of anaphylaxis or urticaria or rash occurring immediately after penicillin therapy are at increased risk of immediate hypersensitivity to penicillins and should not receive prophylaxis with a beta-lactam antibiotic.