Antibiotic prophylaxis refers to the prevention of infection complications using antimicrobial therapy (most commonly antibiotics). Even when sterile techniques are adhered to, surgical procedures can introduce bacteria and other microbes in the blood (causing bacteremia), which can colonize and infect different parts of the body. An estimated 5 to 10 percent of hospitalized patients undergoing otolaryngology ("head and neck") surgery acquire a nosocomial ("hospital") infection, which adds a substantial cost and an average of 4 extra days to the hospital stay.

• those with heart conditions that may predispose them to infective endocarditis
• those who have a prosthetic joints and may be at risk for developing hematogenous infections at the site of the prosthetic.

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