Adult

Surgical site infection, clean procedures

For surgical wound classification see: Surgical site infection, definitions and classification

Treat for 5 days (review IV daily and convert to oral within 48 hours or when clinical condition allows). 

Antibiotics are likely unnecessary if there is less than 5 cm of erythema and induration and if there are minimal systemic signs of infection (e.g. afebrile, normal WCC)

Preferred

flucloxacillin 1g po qds (or 1g iv qds, increase to 2g iv qds for severe infection or in obese patients)

For MRSA positive patientsco-trimoxazole 960mg po bd (or IV if NBM)

Alternative

For penicillin allergy (non-severe):

cefalexin 1g po tds

 

For penicillin allergy (severe) or MRSA positive patients:

co-trimoxazole 960mg po bd (or iv if NBM)

OR 

doxycycline 100mg po bd

 

Consider penicillin allergy assessment and delabelling 

Editorial Information

Last reviewed: 01 Feb 2024