Prophylactic antibiotics in clean surgical procedures are given to prevent postoperative infections. Which statement best describes a common agent used for this purpose?

• A. To treat established infections
• B. To prevent postoperative infections; cefazolin is a common agent
• C. To reduce inflammation around the incision
• D. To enhance wound healing

Answer: (B)

Preventing postoperative infection is the goal of prophylactic antibiotics in clean surgeries. Cefazolin is a common choice because it reliably covers the typical skin bacteria that can contaminate a clean wound, especially Staphylococcus species, and it has good tissue penetration with a favorable safety and cost profile. Timing matters: it’s given before the incision so tissue levels are high at the moment of potential contamination. It may be redosed if the operation is long to maintain protection. This approach is about preventing infection, not treating an existing one, and not about reducing inflammation or speeding up healing, which aren’t achieved by prophylactic antibiotics.