Efficacy of piperacillin-tazobactam in the treatment of surgical wound infection after clean-contaminated head and neck oncologic surgery.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Although perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis has significantly reduced surgical wound infection rates, this complication is still a frequent complication of head and neck cancer surgery. Because these infections are typically polymicrobial, our study evaluated the safety and efficacy of piperacillin-tazobactam in the treatment of surgical wound infection after clean-contaminated head and neck oncologic surgery.

METHODS:

In this multicenter, prospective clinical trial, 70 patients with surgical wound infection received piperacillin-tazobactam.

RESULTS:

Of patients who were evaluable, 92.4% were also clinically cured or improved, and the bacteriologic eradication rate was 80.3%. Of the 70 patients enrolled in the study, six (8.5%) experienced six adverse events: two cases of moderate diarrhea, one allergic skin reaction, and three cases of phlebitis. No deaths were attributable to the study drug.

CONCLUSIONS:

Piperacillin-tazobactam is a good choice of treatment as monotherapy for surgical wound infection after clean-contaminated head and neck oncologic surgery.

• Authors: Juan P Rodrigo, Carlos Sŭrez, Ricardo Bernaldez, Diego Collado
• Journal: Head & neck (Head Neck) Vol. 26 Issue 9 Pg. 823-8 (Sep 2004) ISSN: 1043-3074 [Print] United States
• PMID: 15350029 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Multicenter Study, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Chemical References

• Anti-Bacterial Agents
• Piperacillin, Tazobactam Drug Combination
• Penicillanic Acid
• Piperacillin

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Anti-Bacterial Agents (therapeutic use)
• Female
• Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections (drug therapy)
• Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections (drug therapy)
• Head and Neck Neoplasms (surgery)
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Penicillanic Acid (analogs & derivatives, therapeutic use)
• Piperacillin (therapeutic use)
• Piperacillin, Tazobactam Drug Combination
• Prospective Studies
• Surgical Wound Infection (drug therapy)
• Treatment Outcome