Major reasons to prescribe antimicrobial prophylaxis in surgery

Based on the Belgian recommendation for antimicrobial prophylaxis (AMP) in surgery in 1996, a prospective survey of 3 months was carried out in 10 acute care hospitals in Lebanon to describe the major reasons to prescribe AMP in surgery. Of 961 surgical procedures, 767 (80%) received one or several antibiotics; the surgical site infection rate was 4%. Results indicate that duration of procedures over 1 hour and patient older than 60 years represent the main reasons for prescribing AMP in Lebanese hospitals.