Factors influencing the development of wound infection following free-flap reconstruction for intra-oral cancer.
Wound infection following tissue transfer in head and neck oncology is common. Factors known to be associated with infective complications include blood transfusion, pre-operative radiotherapy, duration of surgery, duration of pre-operative stay and a history of smoking. The present study specifically examined 100 consecutive patients on a standard antibiotic protocol undergoing free flap reconstruction following resection of cancers of the oral cavity or oropharynx. Despite prophylactic antibiotics, 21 patients developed a head and neck wound infection. No statistically significant association was found between infective wound complications and a history of smoking, pre-operative radiotherapy or chemotherapy, length of pre-operative hospital stay, duration of surgery, or number of units of blood transfused. We conclude that, in this group of patients, wound infection is a common and difficult problem, but with no statistically significant association with any of the variables studied.
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne NE1 4LP, UK. d.rcloke@lineone.net
D J
DJ
Cloke
J E
JE
Green
A L
AL
Khan
P D
PD
Hodgkinson
N R
NR
McLean
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002444:Cefuroxime / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008795:Metronidazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D011292:Premedication; D011446:Prospective Studies; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000382:microbiology*; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control
D008795:Metronidazole; D002444:Cefuroxime