The use of prophylactic perioperative antibiotic therapy if indicated could successfully and safely prevent surgical wound infections. The current guidelines (S1) for prophylactic perioperative antibiotic therapy of the Study Group of the Scientific Medical Associations (AWMF) of 2004 was replaced by a recommendation of the study group of the Paul-Ehrlich-Gesellschaft for Chemotherapy (PEG) in 2010. This recommendation includes recent research data from 2000 to 2008. Indications and choice of antibiotic agent depend on specific risk factors of the patient and the operation performed. The aim of this article is to describe the current recommendations of the PEG for general and visceral surgery.