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Hicks A, Mazumder A, Moody R, et al.
Dermatol Surg (2023)

JC: December 2023

This retrospective study characterized gram-negative surgical site infections following Mohs micrographic surgery. The analysis identified common gram-negative pathogens, predisposing risk factors, and clinical presentations. The findings have implications for empiric antibiotic selection when gram-negative SSI is suspected, as standard prophylactic regimens targeting gram-positive organisms may be insufficient for certain wound locations.

Take-Home Messages

  • Gram-negative SSIs after Mohs surgery are uncommon but may be underrecognized, particularly for lower extremity and groin wounds.
  • Empiric antibiotic selection should consider gram-negative coverage for infections not responding to standard gram-positive therapy.
  • Culture-directed therapy is essential for SSIs that fail to improve with initial empiric antibiotic treatment.

Topic

Perioperative Safety

Infection prevention, antibiotics, surgical safety protocols

Abstract

Surgical site infections (SSIs) are the most common adverse events after Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS). However, there is a paucity of literature characterizing gram-negative (GN) SSIs after MMS. This study aimed to depict the clinical features and risk factors of GN infections after MMS. A retrospective review was performed from all postoperative wound cultures after MMS from 2017 to 2021 at Saint Louis University Medical Center. Patient demographics, surgical details, and wound clinical c...

Literature review only. This summary is an editorial interpretation and may not reflect the complete findings of the original publication. Always refer to the full-text article for clinical decision-making.