Antimicrobial prophylaxis is effective for the prevention of surgical wound infections in colorectal surgery and should be used.
No 'gold standard' regimen can be identified. There is no difference in the rate of surgical wound infections between many different regimens, though certain regimens appear to be inadequate.
Single dose regimen may be as effective as multiple dose regimen and have related cost benefits.
Guidelines based on existing evidence should take into account local prevalence of pathogens and resistance profiles in order to achieve more cost-effective use of antimicrobial prophylaxis in colorectal surgery.
Appropriate use of antimicrobial prophylaxis in colorectal surgery may help to reduce the development of antibiotic resistant bacteria.
Despite adverse publicity concerning the use of antibiotics, GP's should advise patients being referred for colorectal surgery that the appropriate use of antimicrobial prophylaxis can reduce the risk of surgical wound infections.