The evidence behind prophylaxis and treatment of wound infection after surgery

Abstract

Surgical site infections (SSIs) represent a serious post surgical complication. They are the leading cause of healthcare-related infections in developing countries and the second most common healthcare-related infection in developed countries. Here we discuss the epidemiology of and risk factors for SSIs together with the current evidence supporting the use of antibiotic prophylaxis for the prevention of wound infection after surgery. © Springer Science+Business Media New York 2013.