Background: Normal skin microbiota influence susceptibility to surgical infections. The distribution of skin bacteria differs by anatomic site, and given the right conditions, almost any of these bacteria can become an opportunistic pathogen. Methods: This paper provides a thorough review of the most commonly encountered bacteria in various regions of the body and their isolation from operative incisions at those locations. These data may be useful in optimizing targeted antibiotic therapy for surgical site infections and provide a better understanding of the skin biome distribution at specific surgical sites. Conclusion: Typical skin-borne flora, surgical site infections, orthopedic infections by body part, and drug-resistant pathogens are reviewed.
Background: Normal skin microbiota influence susceptibility to surgical infections. The distribution of skin bacteria differs by anatomic site, and given the right conditions, almost any of these bacteria can become an opportunistic pathogen. Methods: This paper provides a thorough review of the most commonly encountered bacteria in various regions of the body and their isolation from operative incisions at those locations. These data may be useful in optimizing targeted antibiotic therapy for surgical site infections and provide a better understanding of the skin biome distribution at specific surgical sites. Conclusion: Typical skin-borne flora, surgical site infections, orthopedic infections by body part, and drug-resistant pathogens are reviewed.