title: Current evidence regarding prophylactic antibiotics in head and neck and maxillofacial surgery.
abstract: Antibiotic prophylaxis is commonly used to decrease the rate of infections in head and neck surgery. The aim of this paper is to present the available evidence regarding the application of antibiotic prophylaxis in surgical procedures of the head and neck region in healthy patients. A systemic literature review based on Medline and Embase databases was performed. All reviews and meta-analyses based on RCTs in English from 2000 to 2013 were included. Eight out of 532 studies fulfilled all requirements. Within those, only seven different operative procedures were analyzed. Evidence exists for the beneficial use of prophylactic antibiotics for tympanostomy, orthognathic surgery, and operative tooth extractions. Unfortunately, little high-level evidence exists regarding the use of prophylactic antibiotics in head and neck surgery. In numerous cases, no clear benefit of antibiotic prophylaxis has been shown, particularly considering their potential adverse side effects. Antibiotics are often given unnecessarily and are administered too late and for too long. Furthermore, little research has been performed on the large number of routine cases in the above-mentioned areas of specialization within the last few years, although questions arising with respect to the treatment of high-risk patients or of specific infections are discussed on a broad base.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Technische Universität München, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Ismaninger Straße 22, 81675 Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Kilian
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-0581-4137
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kreutzer
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Technische Universität München, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Ismaninger Straße 22, 81675 Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Katharina
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-8953-0785
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Storck
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Technische Universität München, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Ismaninger Straße 22, 81675 Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Jochen
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-5765-5193
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Weitz
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019072:Antibiotic Prophylaxis; D015921:Dental Implants / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D013515:Surgery, Oral; D014081:Tooth Extraction / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D015921:Dental Implants
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