Three-Dose vs Extended-Course Clindamycin Prophylaxis for Free-Flap Reconstruction of the Head and Neck.
Carroll, William R. MD; Rosenstiel, David MD; Fix, Jobe R. MD; de la Torre, Jorge MD; Solomon, Joel S. MD; Brodish, Brian MD; Rosenthal, Eben L. MD; Heinz, Tad MD; Niwas, Santosh PhD; Peters, Glenn E. MD
[Article]
Archives of Otolaryngology -- Head & Neck Surgery.
129(7):771-774, July 2003.
(Format: HTML, PDF)
Background: Twenty-four hours of perioperative antibiotics provides effective prophylaxis for most head and neck cancer resections. Many reconstructive surgeons have been hesitant to apply this standard to free-flap reconstruction of the head and neck. This prospective clinical trial compared short-course and long-course clindamycin prophylaxis for wound infection in patients with head and neck cancer undergoing free-flap reconstruction.
Methods: Seventy-four patients were randomized to receive short-course (3 doses) or long-course (15 doses) clindamycin perioperatively. Wound infections, fistulas, and other postoperative complications were documented by faculty surgeons who were blinded as to treatment group.
Results: The differences in wound infections and other complications were statistically insignificant. No other independent predictors of wound complications emerged in this series of patients.
Conclusions: Short-course clindamycin is as effective as long-course clindamycin in preventing wound infections after free-flap surgery for head and neck ablative defects.
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