title: Postoperative infection following nasal septoplasty.
abstract: This retrospective study evaluates the incidence and spectrum of infectious complications in 100 consecutive adult nasal septoplasty patients. A total of 12 patients (mean age 40 years; age range 24-55 years) suffered from postoperative infection, and 3/12 had received prophylactic antibiotics. Patients presented with abscess formation (n = 7), submucosal swelling and flush (n = 4) and haematoma and high fever (n = 1). None of the patients had life-threatening complications, such as meningitis, endocarditis or septic/toxic shock. After surgical drainage, antibiotic treatment was given orally or intravenously. The mean hospitalization time was 3.6 days. To assess the clinical outcome, 8/12 patients were re-examined about 1.8 years after the operation. They all had an improved rhinological status. Septoplasty had been successful in relieving nasal obstruction in seven (88%) patients. Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from the nasal mucosa in three (38%) patients, which is in line with previous findings in healthy nasal septoplasty patients. The use of antimicrobial prophylaxis in septal surgery will be discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Finland. antti.makitie@huch.fi
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mäkitie
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Aaltonen
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hytönen
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Malmberg
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009300:Nasal Septum / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000382:microbiology; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents