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Role of prophylactic antibiotics in surgery for advanced head and neck cancer

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 June 2007

D. A. Tandon*
Affiliation:
New Delhi, India
S. Bahadur
Affiliation:
New Delhi, India
H. C. Laldina
Affiliation:
New Delhi, India
K. R. Sundaram
Affiliation:
New Delhi, India
*
D. A. Tandon, Department of Otolaryngology, All Indian Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi 110029, India.

Abstract

Four regimens of prophylactic antibiotics were utilized in 122 consecutive patients of stages III and IV carcinoma of the upper aero-digestive tract undergoing major resections in a randomized single-blind study. Ampicillin, gentamicin, cephalexin and metronidazole were used in different combinations for periods of 5 or 10 days. A cephalexin-metronidazole protocol for 10 days was associated with lowest post-operative infection rate. Oral-oropharyngeal resection and use of pectoralis major myocutaneous flap were the most important factors contributing to infection.

Type
Main Articles
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 1992

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