Are prophylactic antibiotics required for patients whom have had heart valve surgery when having open incision procedures such as breast core biopsy?

Well,: I personally do not think this is necessary. Dental work yes, but a simple breast biopsy, very questionable. Of course there will be doctors who would prescribe it. Unfortunately too many antibiotics are given to patient with clear indication of need.

Yes: Clean case and we may have some controversy, but one dose just prior to incision has low risk and some potential benefit.

No.: Core biopsy is a clean procedure done with a needle (8g-14g) via a small puncture site (no major incision). As long as standard sterile technique is maintained and the skin is prepped/cleaned (i.e. Alcohol wipe), there is minimal if any risk of seeding infection. The need for antibiotic prophylaxis with valves is primarily in contaminated fields (i.e. Mouth, bowel, etc) or more major intervention.