Role of prophylactic antibiotics in surgery for advanced head and neck cancer.
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.
Tandon
D A
DA
Department of Otolaryngology, All Indian Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi.
Bahadur
S
S
Laldina
H C
HC
Sundaram
K R
KR
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*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D005839:Gentamicins; D008795:Metronidazole; D000667:Ampicillin; D002506:Cephalexin