title: Antibiotic prophylaxis in clean-contaminated head and neck oncologic surgery.
abstract: The use of antibiotic prophylaxis in head and neck oncologic surgery has greatly reduced the risk of postoperative wound infection and the corresponding increase in morbidity and health care costs. Conversely, inappropriate perioperative use of antibiotics increases costs and risk to patients. Antibiotic prophylaxis is beneficial only in clean-contaminated head and neck surgery; targets are the bacterial flora that commonly inhabit the skin and upper aerodigestive tract, with antibiotics effective against gram-positive aerobic organisms and anaerobic organisms providing the best coverage. Maximum efficacy is achieved with immediate preoperative and short-term (less than 48 hours) postoperative antimicrobial administration in adequate doses. Optimum benefit from prophylaxis in head and neck oncologic surgery depends on appropriate selection and administration of antibiotics in combination with sound, established surgical principles.
authors.affiliation: Department of Head and Neck Surgery, University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston 77030.
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Weber
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Callender
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D011292:Premedication; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents