Original Title: Antibiothérapie postopératoire en chirurgie thoracique

Authors' objectives: Thoracic surgery is a medical field that includes treatments and surgical interventions related to pulmonary, mediastinal, chest wall and esophageal diseases. Antimicrobial prophylaxis is used to prevent infection risk. The optimal duration of antibiotic therapy for patients undergoing thoracic surgery has not reached medical consensus as the efficacy of prolonged antibiotic prophylaxis following thoracic or oesophageal surgery is uncertain. This question is important, as inappropriate and overuse of antibiotic prescribing is associated with health care costs and antimicrobial resistance, a growing public health problem.

Authors' recommendations: Following the analysis of the evidence from the literature review, the Health Technology Assessment (HTA) unit formulated recommendations related to the best practices in postoperative antibiotic prophylaxis for patients undergoing lung surgery (thoracotomy or video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery), or an oesophageal surgery. The HTA unit suggests to use pre and postoperative antibiotic prophylaxis for patients undergoing a thoracotomy. However, it is suggested to use only preoperative antibiotic prophylaxis and to avoid antibiotics at the postoperative phase for patients undergoing a video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. It is suggested to use pre and postoperative antibiotic prophylaxis for patients undergoing an oesophageal surgery. No recommendation could be made regarding the optimal duration of antimicrobial prophylaxis in patients undergoing a minimally invasive oesophageal surgery.

Project Status: Completed

URL for project: https://www.iucpq.ca/a-propos-de-nous/excellence/evaluation-des-technologies-et-modes-dintervention-en-sante/

Year Published: 2023

URL for published report: https://www.iucpq.ca/app/uploads/2024/06/rap_antibio_chir_thor_05-2023.pdf

English language abstract: There is no English language summary available

Publication Type: Full HTA

Country: Canada

Province: Quebec

Organisation Name: Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec – Université Laval (IUCPQ-ULaval)

Contact Address: 2725, chemin Sainte-Foy Québec QC G1V 4G5

Contact Name: uetmis.iucpq@ssss.gouv.qc.ca

Contact Email: uetmis.iucpq@ssss.gouv.qc.ca

Copyright: Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec - Université Laval