Efficacy of Cefazolin as a Prophylactic Antibiotic in Head and Neck Surgery

Abstract

The rationale for use of perioperative short-term prophylactic antibiotics in prevention of postoperative infection in major head and neck surgery was reviewed. Cefazolin and placebo were compared in 50 patients and results showed that short-term perioperative cefazolin was a useful adjunct in reduction of postoperative infection. Findings suggest perioperative antibiotics may be safely and effectively used to reduce postoperative morbidity from infection after surgical procedures involving skin and mucosa of the upper aero-digestive tract.