title: Role of prophylactic antibiotics in surgery for advanced head and neck cancer.
abstract: Four regimens of prophylactic antibiotics were utilized in 122 consecutive patients of stages III and IV carcinoma of the upper aero-digestive tract undergoing major resections in a randomized single-blind study. Ampicillin, gentamicin, cephalexin and metronidazole were used in different combinations for periods of 5 or 10 days. A cephalexin-metronidazole protocol for 10 days was associated with lowest post-operative infection rate. Oral-oropharyngeal resection and use of pectoralis major myocutaneous flap were the most important factors contributing to infection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, All Indian Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi.
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Tandon
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bahadur
authors.forename: H C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Laldina
authors.forename: K R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Sundaram
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000667:Ampicillin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002506:Cephalexin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005839:Gentamicins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008795:Metronidazole / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery*; D010039:Otorhinolaryngologic Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery*; D011292:Premedication; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D005839:Gentamicins; D008795:Metronidazole; D000667:Ampicillin; D002506:Cephalexin