What is the primary purpose of cefazolin in surgery?

What is the primary purpose of cefazolin in surgery?

• A. Surgical prophylaxis
• B. Treatment of MRSA
• C. Postoperative analgesia
• D. Fungal infection prophylaxis

Answer: (A)

Cefazolin’s primary role in surgery is surgical prophylaxis—given before the incision to reduce the risk of postoperative infection from common skin flora such as Staphylococcus aureus and streptococci. It’s favored because of good activity against these organisms, a favorable safety and cost profile, and its timing (usually within 60 minutes before incision, with re-dosing for long procedures). It’s not sufficient for MRSA treatment, since MRSA can be resistant to cefazolin; it’s also not used for analgesia or fungal prophylaxis, which fall outside its antimicrobial purpose.

Cefazolin’s primary role in surgery is surgical prophylaxis—given before the incision to reduce the risk of postoperative infection from common skin flora such as Staphylococcus aureus and streptococci. It’s favored because of good activity against these organisms, a favorable safety and cost profile, and its timing (usually within 60 minutes before incision, with re-dosing for long procedures). It’s not sufficient for MRSA treatment, since MRSA can be resistant to cefazolin; it’s also not used for analgesia or fungal prophylaxis, which fall outside its antimicrobial purpose.