title: The Efficacy of Perioperative Antibiotic Therapy in Tonsillectomy Patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  While the results of early research suggested that perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis in tonsillectomy patients is associated with many benefits, these data were not confirmed by further studies and meta-analyses.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to investigate the usefulness and efficacy of antibiotic monotherapy in the healing of surgical wounds of patients undergoing bilateral resection of the palatine tonsils, based on an analysis of selected objective and subjective characteristics of wound healing during the postoperative period.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study included 50 men and women who underwent routine resection of the palatine tonsils. The patients were randomized into two groups: Group I, undergoing tonsillectomy with cefuroxime prophylaxis (n = 25), and Group II, who were not given perioperative antibiotic therapy (n = 25). The severity of signs and complaints recorded on postoperative days 1-10 was scored on 3- and 10-item scales.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The only significant intergroup differences pertained to problems with swallowing food and fluids on postoperative days 4-6, 8 and 9 (less prevalent in Group II), postoperative use of analgesics on postoperative day 9 (less frequent in Group II), the degree of mucosal swelling in the operated area on postoperative days 3 and 7 (less severe in Group II), and the amount of fibrin covering the tonsillar niches on the third postoperative day (significantly higher in Group I).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The administration of antibiotics for prevention or control of infection should be preceded by a comprehensive analysis of the potential benefits and risks. Perioperative use of antibiotics is justified only in selected cases, i.e. in individuals with comorbidities.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Laryngological Oncology in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland.
authors.forename: Krzysztof
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Orłowski
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Laryngological Oncology in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland.
authors.forename: Grażyna
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lisowska
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Therapy in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland.
authors.forename: Hanna
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Misiołek
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Laryngological Oncology in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland.
authors.forename: Zbigniew
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Paluch
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Laryngological Oncology in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland.
authors.forename: Maciej
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Misiołek
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019072:Antibiotic Prophylaxis / Q000379:methods; D002444:Cefuroxime / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014066:Palatine Tonsil / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000601:surgery*; D019990:Perioperative Care; D011184:Postoperative Period; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000517:prevention & control; D014068:Tonsillectomy / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D002444:Cefuroxime
keywords: antibiotics; prophylaxis; tonsillectomy; wound healing