title: An audit of prophylactic antibiotic use in laryngeal reconstruction surgery.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Yorkhill, Glasgow, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Satyamaanasa
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Polubothu
authors.forename: Sylvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Harrison
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Clement
authors.forename: Haytham
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kubba
mesh_terms: 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