title: Cleft soft palate reconstruction: prospective study on infection and antibiotics.
abstract: The aim of this prospective study was to identify possible pathogenic organisms associated with wound complications in the form of wound infections, wound breakdown and the formation of oro-nasal fistulas. The organisms' resistance profile to antibiotics was also evaluated. This prospective study consisted of the evaluation of the intra-oral microbiological profile of 100 babies with soft palate cleft deformities peri-operatively. A wide spectrum of pathogenic organisms from the upper aero-digestive track was isolated, as well as a group of organisms that originated from the colon/perineum. The latter organisms were mostly associated with postoperative complications. The antibiotic resistance profile showed a high resistance to commonly used antibiotics such as ampicillin, amoxycillin-clavulanic acid, and first- and second-generation cephalosporins. The resistance profile of the organisms needs to be reassessed and appropriate antibiotics must be used in combination with an antimicrobial mouth rinse.
authors.affiliation: Department of Maxillo-Facial and Oral Surgery, University of Pretoria, South-Africa.
authors.forename: H P
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Mÿburgh
authors.forename: K-W
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Bütow
mesh_terms: D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D002972:Cleft Palate / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000601:surgery; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial; D005260:Female; D005402:Fistula / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D010160:Palate, Soft / Q000382:microbiology / Q000601:surgery; D057234:Preoperative Period; D011446:Prospective Studies; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*