Penetrating Abdominal Trauma, Prophylactic Antibiotic Use in

Published 2012

Level 1

  1. A single preoperative dose of prophylactic antibiotics with broad-spectrum aerobic and anaerobic coverage should be administered to all patients sustaining penetrating abdominal wounds.
  2. Prophylactic antibiotics should be continued for not more than 24 hours in the presence of a hollow viscus injury in the acutely injured patient.
  3. Absence of a hollow viscus injury requires no further administration of antibiotics.

Level 2

  1. There are no Level 2 recommendations.

Level 3

  1. In patients admitted with hemorrhagic shock, the administered dose of antibiotics may be increased twofold or threefold and repeated after transfusion of every 10 units of blood until there is no further blood loss.
  2. Aminoglycosides should be avoided because of suboptimal activity in patients with significant injuries if possible.