Clinical Report: Evaluating Pediatric Surgeons' Knowledge on Antibiotic Prophylaxis

Overview

This study assesses pediatric surgeons' knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis in Jiangsu Province, China. Despite high cognitive accuracy in drug selection and administration timing, compliance with guidelines for discontinuing prophylaxis within 24 hours remains suboptimal.

Background

Surgical site infection (SSI) prevention is vital for pediatric surgical safety, yet inappropriate use of perioperative antimicrobial prophylaxis contributes to antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Understanding surgeons' knowledge and practices is essential.

Data Highlights

Key Findings

• High cognitive accuracy regarding drug selection (84.0%) and administration timing (95.1%).
• Only 74.8% of surgeons acknowledged the guideline to discontinue prophylaxis within 24 hours for Class I incisions.
• A significant positive correlation exists between knowledge and practice scores (r = 0.579, P < 0.001).
• Cluster analysis revealed a “Knowledge-Practice Disassociation” in Oncology, Burns, and SICU departments.

Clinical Implications

The findings highlight the need for targeted educational interventions to improve compliance with antibiotic prophylaxis guidelines among pediatric surgeons. Addressing the knowledge-practice gap is crucial for enhancing patient safety and combating antimicrobial resistance.

Conclusion

The study underscores the importance of aligning surgeons' knowledge with clinical practices to ensure adherence to antibiotic prophylaxis guidelines, particularly in high-risk surgical departments.

Related Resources & Content

1. Frontiers in Pediatrics, 2026 -- Current clinical status of perioperative comfort therapy in pediatric anesthesia in China: a national cross-sectional survey
2. Springer, 2022 -- Preoperative Anxiety Levels in Chinese Adults Undergoing Elective Surgical Procedures: A Cross-Sectional Study Across Multiple Centers
3. Springer, 2022 -- Assessing Knowledge and Practices Regarding Antibiotic Stewardship in Pediatric Tertiary Care Facilities to Identify Educational Opportunities
4. WHO, 2025 -- Infection prevention and control: Surgical site infections
5. National Health Commission, 2025 -- WS/T 861—2025 Surgical site infection prevention and control standard
6. Evaluating Global Practices of Peri-Operative Antibiotic Use by Urologic Surgeons in Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate
7. Antibiotic Prophylaxis for Paediatric Surgery (228) | NHSGGC
8. Strategies to prevent surgical site infections in acute-care hospitals: 2022 Update
9. Infection prevention and control: Surgical site infections
10. 标准名称
11. Postoperative continuation of antibiotic prophylaxis beyond 24 h is unnecessary for abdominal surgeries in children and neonates - ScienceDirect
12. Implementation of surgical site infection prophylaxis in children – a cross-sectional prospective study - ScienceDirect
13. AAO43: Otolaryngologic Surgical Procedures: Avoidance of Unnecessary Antibiotic Use - American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS)