Antimicrobial Prophylaxis - Controversial

The need for prophylaxis in breast surgery, herniorraphy and other "clean" surgical procedures has been controversial. Medical Letter consultants generally do not recommend surgical prophylaxis for these procedures unless prosthetic material (synthetic mesh, saline implants, tissue expanders) will be placed, because of the low rate of infection, the low morbidity of these infections and the potential adverse effects of using prophylaxis in such a large number of patients.