Deep Abscess Formation After Head and Neck Free Flap Reconstruction: A Critical Appraisal of Current Guidelines for Prophylactic Antibiotics in Head and Neck Surgery

Abstract

Postoperative infections have a major impact on patient recovery, especially when a second surgical procedure is required. In this study, 342 cases from a retrospective cohort of patients undergoing microvascular free flap reconstruction of head and neck defects, were evaluated with respect to the development of deep abscesses. Two different perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis protocols based on amoxicillin-clavulanate and cefazolin with metronidazole were compared. Streptococcus anginosus was found to be the causative pathogen for the development of abscesses in the head and neck region in all cases in this series. An association for the development of abscesses was found with the use of osteosynthesis material and the use of cefazolin with metronidazole.