When should prophylactic antibiotics be given prior to an appendectomy?

Prophylactic antibiotics are typically administered before an appendectomy to reduce the risk of postoperative infections, especially in cases of suspected appendicitis, where there is a chance of bacterial contamination during surgery. The timing of antibiotic administration is crucial for maximizing their effectiveness.

The appropriate time to give prophylactic antibiotics is approximately 60 minutes before the surgical incision. This timing allows the antibiotics to reach adequate tissue concentrations by the time the skin is incised, ensuring that they are active in the bloodstream and can effectively combat potential infections that could arise during surgical procedures.

Administering the antibiotics too early may result in suboptimal tissue levels of the drug at the time of incision, while giving them immediately before anesthesia could lead to inadequate time for absorption and distribution. Postoperative administration does not prevent the infection risk associated with the operation itself, which is why this timing is critical to effective antibiotic prophylaxis in surgical settings.