RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 The ethics of prophylactic antibiotics for neurosurgical procedures
JF Journal of Medical Ethics
JO J Med Ethics
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Institute of Medical Ethics
SP 358
OP 363
DO 10.1136/jme.28.6.358
VO 28
IS 6
A1 S I Savitz
A1 M M Rivlin
A1 M H Savitz
YR 2002
UL http://jme.bmj.com/content/28/6/358.abstract
AB The prophylactic use of antibiotics has become a routine procedure in many areas of medicine. In neurosurgery, however, there is considerable debate over their use in the prevention of postoperative infection. We pose several ethical questions about antibiotic prophylaxis in a neurosurgical setting. These questions are discussed under the following categories: responsible usage of antibiotics; the ethical dilemmas of controlled, antibiotic clinical trials, and some problems inherent in not using prophylactic antibiotics.