Surgical antimicrobial prophylaxis in intensive care unit (ICU) patients: a preliminary, observational, retrospective study.

Background: Surgical antimicrobial prophylaxis (SAP) is supported by evidence-based guidelines. Nevertheless, SAP guidelines do not cover all clinical scenarios. To our knowledge, no information is available regarding SAP in the critically ill patients. We designed a retrospective, observational and preliminary study which the objective was to describe our professional practices in intensive care unit (ICU) patients requiring SAP.

Methods: All patients admitted for more than 48 h in the ICU and requiring surgery were retrospectively included from January 1st to December 31, 2016. We collected data related to infection, colonization and antimicrobial treatments pre- and post-operatively. We assessed the compliance of SAP to guidelines.

Results: Among 41 included patients, 13 (32%) were treated for an ongoing infection and 21 (51%) received at least one antibiotic during the ICU stay. Seven (17%) were colonized. Twenty-one (51%) patients received SAP according to guidelines. Thirteen postoperative infections including 1 surgical site infection were reported. For 10 (24%) patients, the ongoing antimicrobial treatment was continued in the operating room. No surgical site infection and 1 lung infection was reported. In 3 (7%) patients, no SAP was administered and 1 episode of bacteremia was noted. Three (7%) patients had their ongoing treatment changed in the operating room. Two of them developed a lung infection. The other patients were assessed individually due to complex conditions.

Conclusions: These preliminary data showed a large heterogeneity in the management of SAP in the ICU, suggesting the need for specific guidelines based on clinical trials.