Antibiotic prophylaxis of surgical site infections

the use of prophylactic antibiotics has been demonstrated to reduce the incidence of postoperative wound infections significantly. A single dose of an apropriate intravenous antibiotics or combination of antibiotics is as effective as multiple-dose regimens that extend into the postoperative period. The dose should be repeated every 3-4 hours to ensure maintenance of a therapeutic serum level. A first generation cephalosporin is as effective as later generation agents. All prophylactic antibiotics should be given intravenously at induction of anesthesia or roughly 30-60 minutes prior to the skin incision.
*Cefazolin 1-2g iv : head and neck, neurologic, thoracic, non cardiac vascular, orthopedic, cesarean, hysterectomy, gastroduodenal, billiary, urologic,breast and hernia
*Cefotetan/cefoxitin 1-2g: appendectomy, colorectal