Antibiotic Prophylaxis in Gastrointestinal Endoscopy - Recommendations of the Austrian Society of Gastroenterology and Hepatology

The recommendations of the Austrian Society of Gastroenterology and Hepatology (OGGH) for antibiotic prophylaxis in gastrointestinal endoscopy of the year 2002 have been updated in accord with the recently published guidelines of the American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) and the American Heart Association (AHA). Antibiotic prophylaxis for any endoscopic intervention to prevent infectious endocarditis is no longer necessary. Moreover, the prophylactic use of antibiotics for ERCP without biliary obstruction and ERCP with obstruction and a likelihood of complete drainage is no longer recommended. For ERCP with obstruction and anticipated incomplete drainage, a full course of antibiotics should be administered to prevent cholangitis. For the prevention of local infections antibiotics are useful prior to endoscopic puncturing, contrasting or drainage of cystic lesions as well as just before application of a PEG tube. In cirrhotic patients with GI bleeding antibiotic prophylaxis should be started as early as possible and be administered for several days.