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1
Surgical site infections (SSIs) significantly increase patient morbidity and healthcare costs, totaling up to $10 billion annually.
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2
β-Lactam antibiotics are preferred for surgical prophylaxis due to their efficacy, safety, and cost-effectiveness compared to non–β-lactam alternatives.
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3
Patients with documented β-lactam allergies often receive non–β-lactam alternatives, which may lead to higher SSI rates despite concerns about cross-reactivity.
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4
This study aims to compare the incidence of 30-day SSIs between β-lactam and non–β-lactam prophylaxis in elective colorectal surgeries, controlling for dosing and timing.
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5
Data for this multicenter study were sourced from the Michigan Surgical Quality Collaborative, ensuring reliability through standardized definitions and audits.