Perioperative Antibiotic Use in Cutaneous Surgery

Oral antibiotic prophylaxis is overly prescribed for procedures involving the integumentary system (skin, hair, nails, and related subcutaneous tissue) and mucosa. Preoperative antibiotic prophylaxis preventing infective endocarditis or hematogenous prosthetic joint infection is recommended only when operating on infected or mucosal sites of select, high-risk patients. There are limited data supporting oral antibiotic use to prevent surgical site infections, and antibiotics are not recommended for routine use. Alternatives to oral antibiotics that may reduce infection risk, such as wound antisepsis, are sought. Altogether, risk stratification and antibiotic stewardship are both necessary for appropriate perioperative oral antibiotic use for dermatologic surgery.