A 68-year-old man is undergoing a right hemicolectomy for a cecal mass. He asks what the current research has shown about decreasing postoperative infection after this procedure. When should antibiotics always be used for this procedure?
A. Oral antibiotics should be used in combination with bowel preparationProspective randomized trials are needed to better understand the role of oral antibiotic prophylaxis in colorectal surgery. In contrast, long-standing, convincing data support the efficacy of parenteral antibiotic prophylaxis at the time of surgery. Broad-spectrum parenteral antibiotic(s) with activity against aerobic and anaerobic enteric pathogens should be administered just prior to the skin incision and redosed as needed depending on the length of the operation. There is no proven benefit to using antibiotics postoperatively after an uncomplicated colectomy.