Postoperative infections and pancreatic fistulas are significant complications after pancreatoduodenectomy, historically mitigated by cefoxitin prophylaxis.
A randomized trial demonstrated that piperacillin-tazobactam significantly reduces these postoperative complications compared to cefoxitin.
Analysis of over 27,000 patients from 220 hospitals showed an increase in broad-spectrum antibiotic use from 38.2% to 56.2% following dissemination of trial results.
Patients with preoperative biliary stents were more likely to receive broad-spectrum antibiotics, while racial disparities persist with Black/African American patients less likely to be prescribed these agents.
