An audit of prophylactic antibiotic use in laryngeal reconstruction surgery.
OBJECTIVE
Published data on the role of antibiotics after open airway reconstruction surgery in children is lacking. We reviewed adherence to our own departmental antibiotic protocol to determine its adequacy and effectiveness.


METHODS
We reviewed the records of all children undergoing open airway reconstruction surgery 2003-2007 in our unit which is based in a tertiary referral children's hospital.


RESULTS
36 children underwent surgery, of whom 32 were given appropriate antibiotic prophylaxis. Failure to give antibiotic prophylaxis was associated with increased rates of infection (wound infection and pneumonia) and with a longer stay in the ITU.


CONCLUSIONS
We present a revised antibiotic protocol based on our experience and local antibiotic advice.
Polubothu
Satyamaanasa
S
Department of Otolaryngology, Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Yorkhill, Glasgow, United Kingdom.
Harrison
Sylvia
S
Clement
Andrew
A
Kubba
Haytham
H
D000293:Adolescent; D019072:Antibiotic Prophylaxis / Q000639:trends*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D054869:Clinical Audit; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007830:Larynx / Q000601:surgery*; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000517:prevention & control; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000517:prevention & control