title: Postoperative infections in breast surgery.
abstract: The rate of infections in mastectomy wounds is apparently higher than normally allowed for in clean operations. A retrospective analysis of our results over two time periods shows a 6.4% infection rate for a one-step operation and 11.1% for a two-step operation between 1970 and 1976, compared with 2.6% and 7.6% for 1980-86, respectively. In accordance with other published reports, we found that a two-step operation, and advanced age, increase the danger of infection. The predominant pathogens were staphylococci. We advise the employment of a one-step operation in conjunction with prophylactic use of antibiotics.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery C, Ichilov Hospital, Tel-Aviv, Israel.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Gutkin
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bawnik
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007557:Israel; D008408:Mastectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013503:Surgery Department, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000453:epidemiology*