[Antibiotic prophylaxis in surgery].

One of the more dramatic effects of antimicrobial chemotherapy has been its influence on the practice of modern surgeryl. The use of perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis has been shown to prevent post-surgical wound and other infections. When employed rationally, significant reductions in morbidity and mortality as well as savings in resources can be clearly demonstrated. However; when used excessively in conditions where its benefit has not been established, negative effects like unjustifiably high costs of medical care and the emergence of bacterial resistance can occur.