Antibiotic prophylaxis prevents wound infections in a large number of
surgical procedures. All too frequently, however, antibiotics are eith
er not given or administered in a suboptimal fashion. The development
and implemention of guidelines by healthcare institutions to ensure th
at antibiotics are administered in accordance with accepted principles
could reduce wound infections appreciably. The rising prevalence of m
ultidrug-resistant microorganisms within the healthcare environment (s
uch as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) has prompted resea
rch into new ways to prevent surgical infection. One such strategy, th
e augmentation of host defenses, is under evaluation and may eventuall
y be useful in combination with antibiotic prophylaxis.