My patients are often surprised when they aren’t routinely given antibiotics to take after cosmetic surgery. Is this a legitimate concern? Do antibiotics prevent infections?
Infection is a risk whenever a surgeon makes an incision through the body’s protective barrier, the skin. Despite the use of antiseptic solutions and sterilized surgical equipment, postoperative infection can occur no matter how well or successfully an operation is performed.
When an antibiotic is given before an operation, the chosen drug should be effective against the pathogen (germ) that is most likely to be encountered. The drug should have minimal toxicity and a low incidence of adverse reactions. Current guidelines suggest that a single intravenous (IV) dose of antibiotic should be given thirty minutes before the start of the operation. Generally, a second dose is indicated when the procedure lasts longer than four hours. There is no support in the scientific literature to the common practice of continuing antibiotics longer than 24 hours after the end of surgery. In fact, organizations that survey and accredit hospitals count it as a negative mark when antibiotics are given over an extended period of time without evidence of an infection.
But isn’t it good to take antibiotics just to be safe? The answer is no. It is impossible to eliminate all bacteria from a human being. Attempts to do so may result in a more serious infection by a germ that is resistant to the particular antibiotic that has been prescribed, and no antibiotic is effective against every type of germ in the environment. Adverse events associated with antibiotics remain a major source of complication and death following surgery. Additionally, the indiscriminate prescription of antibiotics leads to the development in the community of germs that are resistant to the usual drugs.
Doctors do no favors to their patients or the public when they prescribe antibiotics without good reason. Antibiotics can treat infections but, with a few exceptions, do not prevent them.'
For more information, please call Edward Pechter, MD at 661-255-2151, e-mail drpechter@aol.com or visit www.drpechter.com . Located 25880 Tournament Road #217, Valencia 91355.