What is the recommended timing for administering prophylactic antibiotics before a cesarean section?

Administering prophylactic antibiotics within 60 minutes before a cesarean section is endorsed by clinical guidelines to reduce the risk of surgical site infections (SSIs). The timing is crucial because it ensures that antibiotic levels are adequate at the time when any potential bacterial contamination occurs, which is typically during the incision and delivery phases of the procedure.

Evidence supporting this timing highlights that proper antibiotic levels achieved prior to surgical incision significantly decrease infection rates when compared to administering antibiotics postoperatively or too early before the procedure. Intraoperative prophylaxis also needs to consider the half-life of the antibiotics used to maintain effective concentrations during the operation.

Timing avoidance such as administration after delivery or well in advance of surgery does not provide the same level of protection because the risk of infection may have already begun at the time of surgical incision.

This proactive approach is part of a broader strategy to implement best practices in surgical care, contributing to improved maternal outcomes following cesarean sections.