Postoperative wound infection represents a serious complication of any surgical procedure. Prevention is the cornerstone when approaching this problem. Host factors, prophylactic antibiotics and meticulous surgical technique are key elements in achieving normal wound healing. These are discussed, as is wound infection in various types of surgery of the head and neck.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
ReidMR. Some considerations of the problem of wound healing. N Engl J Med1936; 215:753–66.
2.
CondieJDFergusonDJ. Experimental wound infections: Contamination versus surgical technique. Surgery1961; 50:367–71.
3.
DunphyJEJacksonDS. Practical applications of experimental studies in the care of the primarily closed wound. Am J Surg1962; 104:273–82.
4.
LeonardJR. Prophylactic antibiotics in human stapedectomy. Laryngoscope1967; 77:663–80.
5.
StrongMR. Wound infection in otolaryngologic surgery and the inexpediency of antibiotic prophylaxis. Laryngoscope1961; 73:165–84.
6.
EschelmanLTSchleuningAJIIBrummettRE. Prophylactic antibiotics in otolaryngologic surgery: A double-blind study. Trans Am Acad Ophthalmol Otolaryngol1971; 75:387–94.
7.
BirckHGMravecJJ. Myringostomy for middle ear effusions. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol1976; 85 Suppl25:263–7.
8.
KokkoE.Chronic secretory otitis media in children. Acta Otolaryngol (Stockh) 1974; Suppl 327:7–44.
9.
ParadiseJLBluestoneCD. Early treatment of the universal otitis media of infants with cleft palate. Pediatrics1974; 53:48–54.
10.
PatersonJACardoVAJrStratigosGT. An examination of antibiotic prophylaxis in oral and maxillofacial surgery. J Oral Surg1970; 28:157–65.
11.
DykesERAndersonR.Atraumatic technic-the sine qua non of operative wound infection prophylaxis. Cleve Clin Q1961; 28:157–65.
12.
DorPKlasterskyJ.Prophylactic antibiotics in oral, pharyngeal and laryngeal surgery for cancer (a double-blind study). Laryngoscope1973; 83:1992–8.
13.
GallAMSessionsDGOguraJH. Complications following surgery for cancer of the larynx and hypopharynx. Cancer1977; 39:624–31.
14.
BeckerGDParellGJBuschDFFinegoldSMAcquarelliMJ. Anaerobic and aerobic bacteriology in head and neck cancer surgery. Arch Otolaryngol1978; 104:591–6.