INTRODUCTION: No Spanish guidelines for the prevention of surgical wound infection in paediatric cardiac surgery are currently available. The aim of this study was to analyse the nationwide variability in antibiotic prophylaxis use. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An online questionnaire was distributed to all members of the Cardiology Group of the Spanish Society of Paediatric Intensive Care. Fifteen centres participated in the study. RESULTS: In heart surgery with no delayed sternal closure, all 15 centres used a 1st or 2nd generation cephalosporin in paediatric patients, while 3 hospitals used a broader-spectrum antibiotic therapy in neonates. Prophylaxis was maintained for 12-72h in 11 centres and until drainage removal in four. Thirteen centres used delayed sternal closure, eight of which followed the same protocol for these patients as for standard procedures. Prophylaxis was maintained for 12-72h in 6 centres, and until sternal closure at the rest. Five out of 10 centres performing extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) maintained the same antibiotic protocol as in standard surgery. CONCLUSIONS: A wide variability was observed in antibiotic prophylaxis use in high-risk patients. Thus, national protocols need to be standardised.
INTRODUCTION: No Spanish guidelines for the prevention of surgical wound infection in paediatric cardiac surgery are currently available. The aim of this study was to analyse the nationwide variability in antibiotic prophylaxis use. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An online questionnaire was distributed to all members of the Cardiology Group of the Spanish Society of Paediatric Intensive Care. Fifteen centres participated in the study. RESULTS: In heart surgery with no delayed sternal closure, all 15 centres used a 1st or 2nd generation cephalosporin in paediatric patients, while 3 hospitals used a broader-spectrum antibiotic therapy in neonates. Prophylaxis was maintained for 12-72h in 11 centres and until drainage removal in four. Thirteen centres used delayed sternal closure, eight of which followed the same protocol for these patients as for standard procedures. Prophylaxis was maintained for 12-72h in 6 centres, and until sternal closure at the rest. Five out of 10 centres performing extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) maintained the same antibiotic protocol as in standard surgery. CONCLUSIONS: A wide variability was observed in antibiotic prophylaxis use in high-risk patients. Thus, national protocols need to be standardised.