Short-term versus long-term antibiotic prophylaxis in cochlear implant surgery.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study to evaluate antibiotic prophylaxis options for cochlear implant surgery. Does long-term antibiotic prophylaxis have any advantage over a single perioperative dose in preventing postoperative infection?


METHODS
We conducted a retrospective case review.


METHODS
A total of 292 adult and pediatric patients who underwent cochlear implantation during a 15-year period (1988-2003) were reviewed.


METHODS
Minor and major postoperative wound infections in first 4 weeks.


RESULTS
There were four major and eight minor complication among 292 patients (complication rate 4.1%). The infection rate was higher in patients who had either C incision (11.1%) or extended endaural incision (7.5%) and in patients with a preexisting medical condition. The infection rate was also higher in patients who had long-term antibiotics (5.6% and 13% in the 5-d and 7-d regimes) compared with short-term (single-dose) group.


CONCLUSIONS
Long-term antibiotic prophylaxis did not have any advantage over single perioperative dose. Predisposing medical conditions and extensive surgical incisions were associated with a greater severity of infections and higher risk of wound complications.
Basavaraj
Sreeshyla
S
Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery and Scottish Pediatric and Adult Cochlear Implant Centre, Crosshouse Hospital, Kilmarnock, Scotland, UK. SBBKI@yahoo.com
Najaraj
Sivaji
S
Shanks
Mary
M
Wardrop
Peter
P
Allen
Agnes A
AA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019072:Antibiotic Prophylaxis; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019929:Cochlear Implantation; D003638:Deafness / Q000628:therapy; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016896:Treatment Outcome