The use of topical oral antibiotics in head and neck prophylaxis: Is it justified?

Systemic antibiotic therapy is widely used for prophylaxis in major head and neck surgery, but the efficacy of topical oral antibiotic therapy has not been adequately investigated. A pilot, placebo-controlled, double-blind crossover study using six healthy adult male volunteers was performed to assess the influence of topical clindamycin on oral flora. Samples of saliva were cultured for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria immediately before, and at 1- and 4-hour intervals after, rinsing the mouth with a solution of either placebo or clindamycin. Quantitative analysis demonstrated significantly reduced levels of both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria after use of the topical antibiotic at both the 1- and 4-hour intervals. It is postulated that topical clindamycin, by reducing concentrations of oral flora, may also reduce the incidence of regional infection following major upper aerodigestive tract surgery.     

The role of topical antibiotic prophylaxis in patients undergoing contaminated head and neck surgery with flap reconstruction

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Patients undergoing contaminated head and neck surgery with flap reconstruction have wound infection rates of 20% to 25% with parenteral antibiotic prophylaxis. Studies suggest that perioperative antimicrobial mouthwash reduces oropharyngeal flora and may prevent wound infections. We hypothesized that the addition of topical antibiotics to a parenteral prophylactic regimen would reduce the incidence of wound infection in these high-risk patients. STUDY DESIGN: We performed a randomized, prospective clinical trial. METHODS: Patients received either 1) parenteral piperacillin/tazobactam (3.375 g every 6 hours for 48 h) or 2) parenteral piperacillin/tazobactam plus topical piperacillin/tazobactam administered as a mouthwash immediately before surgery and once a day for 2 days postoperatively, with piperacillin/tazobactam added to the intraoperative irrigation solution. The wounds of all patients were evaluated daily using predefined objective criteria. RESULTS: Sixty-two patients met inclusion criteria and were enrolled in the study. The overall wound infection rate was 8.1% (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.7%-17.8%). Two of 31 patients (6.4%) who received parenteral antibiotics alone developed a wound infection compared with 3 of 31 patients (9.7%) randomly assigned to receive topical plus parenteral antibiotics. This difference was not statistically significant (P = >.05). Infection rate was not associated with flap type (rotational vs. free tissue transfer), mandibular reconstruction, age, gender, tumor site, stage, surgical duration, or blood loss. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that piperacillin/tazobactam is a highly effective antibiotic for prevention of wound infection in patients undergoing flap reconstruction following contaminated head and neck surgery. However, the addition of topical piperacillin/tazobactam does not appear to enhance the prophylactic benefit of parenteral antibiotics alone.     

Prophylactic antibiotics for head and neck surgery with flap reconstruction.

The leading cause of postoperative morbidity in patients undergoing major head and neck surgical procedures is postoperative infection. This prospective randomized multi-institutional clinical trial was designed to compare the effectiveness of clindamycin phosphate and high-dose cefazolin sodium therapy in preventing postoperative wound sepsis in patients undergoing contaminated head and neck surgical procedures in which flap reconstruction was required. Either clindamycin phosphate (900 mg) or cefazolin sodium (2 g) therapy was instituted intravenously prior to surgery and continued every 8 hours, for a total of 24 hours. The patients received postoperative follow-up, and the wounds were graded according to the worst condition observed. One hundred cases were evaluated. Fifty-one patients received clindamycin and 49 patients received high doses of cefazolin; wound infection developed in 10 patients (19.6%) and 11 patients (21.6%), respectively. This difference was not statistically significant. The average duration of surgery was approximately 8 hours for both the infected and the noninfected groups of patients. High-dose cefazolin and clindamycin have similar efficacy when administered prophylactically under these circumstances. Reconstruction with free vascularized tissue may aid in reducing postoperative wound infection.     

Antimicrobial prophylaxis for contaminated head and neck surgery

The use of antibiotic prophylaxis in head and neck surgery is controversial. Most surgeons agree that when surgery requires entry into the aerodigestive tract through the skin the wound is by definition contaminated and antibiotic prophylaxis is indicated as it is in other contaminated wounds. There is no general agreement as to which antibiotic or combination of antibiotics to use or what the schedule of dosage administration should be. In order to obtain a meaningful data to help in decision making, a double blind, randomized study was performed to investigate whether cefazolin alone or a combination of gentamicin and clindamycin was more effective in prophylaxis. All patients entered into the study underwent major oncologic head and neck surgery requiring entry into the upper aerodigestive tract through the skin. Patients were stratified at entry according to the stage of disease, surgical procedure, and the existence of a prior tracheotomy or prior radiation therapy. Subsequently, patients were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatment groups. Group I: Cefazolin 1 day, placebo day 2 to 5. Group II: Cefazolin days 1 to 5, Group III: Gentamicin and clindamycin 1 day, placebo days 2 to 5. Group IV: Gentamicin and clindamycin days 1 to 5. Drugs were given intravenously beginning 3 hours preoperatively and continued postoperatively every 8 hours, according to the assigned schedule. All wounds were observed daily following surgery and were graded on a predetermined scale by 3 unbiased observers. Significantly wound infections occurred in 15% of all patients. Group I, 33%; Group II, 20%; Group III, 7%; Group IV, 4%. In Group III and Group IV there was a statistically significant (P less than .05) reduction in the rate of postoperative wound infection. Multifactorial analysis demonstrated that patients whose surgery included repair with a regional pectoral flap had a statistically significant increased chance of developing postoperative wound infection (P less than .05). Patients undergoing laryngectomy, with or without neck dissection, were at less risk of postoperative infection tham patients undergoing oropharyngeal resection (P less than .05). The preoperative existence of tracheotomy or prior radiation therapy had no demonstrable effect on the incidence of wound infection postoperatively in this study.     

Quantitative bacteriology of closed-suction wound drainage in contaminated surgery

This study was designed to evaluate the predictive value of quantitative bacteriology of closed-suction postoperative wound drainage in identifying the patient likely to develop wound infection as well as its subsequent flora. Forty-one patients undergoing major cancer surgery of the head and neck were studied. Postoperatively, closed-suction wound drainage was cultured, and anaerobic and aerobic bacterial isolates were quantitated. The wound infection rate was 20% (8/41). No trend toward increased rate of wound infection with increased numbers of bacteria colonizing the wound was observed. Additionally, there was no consistent correlation between species of bacteria isolated from closed-suction wound drainage and recovery from subsequent wound infection. Quantitative bacteriology of closed-suction wound drainage after contaminated head and neck cancer surgery does not accurately predict which patients were likely to become infected, or the probable bacteriology of subsequent wound infection.     

Infection following uncontaminated head and neck surgery

The efficacy of perioperative antibiotic administration during major head and neck surgery in which the wound is contaminated by saliva has been clearly established. This study was undertaken to ascertain the incidence of postoperative wound infection encountered in patients undergoing major head and neck surgery in which no contamination occurred. The records of 438 patients who had undergone parotidectomy, thyroidectomy, or submandibular gland excision were reviewed retrospectively. Eighty percent of the patients had received no perioperative antibiotic therapy. Infections developed in three (0.7%) patients during one month following surgery. One of these patients had received perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis. These data clearly demonstrate the non-efficacy of antibiotics administered in patients undergoing parotidectomy, thyroidectomy, or submandibular gland excision when no infection exists prior to surgery.     

Perioperative preventive use of antibiotics in head and neck surgery

The results of five consecutive prospective trials define the role of perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis in head and neck surgery. For contaminated head and neck cases and for endonasal sinus surgery, a single-dose prophylaxis seems to be sufficient. Most clean cases do not need antibiotic prophylaxis. Risk factors for wound infection include nicotine or alcohol abuse, poor oral hygiene and increasing age. Previous radiotherapy seems to be of minor importance.     

Bacteriologic analysis of wound infection following major head and neck surgery

Wound infection was studied prospectively in 23 (6.5%) of 354 patients who participated in a series of antibiotic trials during major contaminated head and neck surgical procedures. Polymicrobial infection was identified in 22 (96%) of 23 cases. The most commonly encountered organisms were aerobic bacteria (91%), anaerobes (74%), and fungi (48%). All fungal infections resolved without systemic antifungal therapy. It was, therefore, concluded that the presence of fungus represented colonization. The primary treatment of an infected wound is surgical drainage accompanied by broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy to prevent sepsis. The value of postoperative wound cultures is unclear. The majority of patients who developed wound infection had a variety of organisms that appeared to be unrelated to the prophylactic antibiotic used, as well as to the particular surgery performed.     

Three-dose vs extended-course clindamycin prophylaxis for free-flap reconstruction of the head and neck

BACKGROUND: Twenty-four hours of perioperative antibiotics provides effective prophylaxis for most head and neck cancer resections. Many reconstructive surgeons have been hesitant to apply this standard to free-flap reconstruction of the head and neck. This prospective clinical trial compared short-course and long-course clindamycin prophylaxis for wound infection in patients with head and neck cancer undergoing free-flap reconstruction. METHODS: Seventy-four patients were randomized to receive short-course (3 doses) or long-course (15 doses) clindamycin perioperatively. Wound infections, fistulas, and other postoperative complications were documented by faculty surgeons who were blinded as to treatment group. RESULTS: The differences in wound infections and other complications were statistically insignificant. No other independent predictors of wound complications emerged in this series of patients. CONCLUSIONS: Short-course clindamycin is as effective as long-course clindamycin in preventing wound infections after free-flap surgery for head and neck ablative defects.     

The use of prophylactic antibiotics in head and neck oncological surgery

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: An overview of best evidence-based current practice in the use of prophylactic antibiotics in elective oncological head and neck surgery is presented. RECENT FINDINGS: Patients undergoing head and neck oncological surgery are at great risk of developing complications following surgery. The incidence of wound infection has been reported to be as high as 87%, often with devastating effects. Prophylactic antibiotics have helped to reduce significantly the risk of infection; however, clinicians managing these patients should also have a thorough understanding of the risk factors leading to postoperative infections and should apply the most basic surgical principles at all times, to minimize infection rates. SUMMARY: Prophylactic antibiotics usage in clean-contaminated major oncological head and neck surgery is mandatory to reduce the risk of infection. In clean major oncological head and neck surgery their use is also advisable but there is no evidence that in clean surgery for benign disease it offers any advantage. Short antibiotic regimes of four doses per 24 h are as effective as prolonged courses regardless of the complexity of the procedure. A combination of antibiotic agents covering aerobic, anaerobic and Gram-negative bacteria is superior to single agents. High-risk patients should be also given short regimes, as there is no evidence that prolonged courses are of more benefit in these patients. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection can have devastating consequences for patients undergoing major head and neck surgery. Protocols of prevention and treatment should be in place in all institutions treating patients with head and neck cancer. Close collaboration between surgical, microbiology and infection-control teams is essential.     

Wound prophylaxis with metronidazole in head and neck surgical oncology

Anaerobic organisms are thought to be an important source of wound infection in head and neck oncologic surgery. Antibiotic prophylaxis consisting of agents specific for anaerobes combined with broad-spectrum agents that provide coverage for other well-recognized pathogens should be an effective combination regimen for this group of patients. We conducted a prospective, randomized study comparing the efficacy of prophylaxis using combination of metronidazole and cefazolin—designated group A, to prophylaxis using cefazolin alone—group B, for patients undergoing oncologic procedures of the head and neck. The rate of wound infection in the cefazolin-metronidazole group (158 patients) was 9.5%, compared with 18.6% in the cefazolin group (172 patients) (p=0.03). Patients undergoing clean procedures had a 4.9% infection rate overall, compared with 17.9% for clean-contaminated procedures, and 33.3% for contaminated procedures. The average length of hospitalization was 20.7 days for patients who developed infections, compared with 8.9 days for patients without infection. Anaerobic organisms were cultured in 12 of 26 patients, ten of whom did not receive metronidazole. The lower rate of wound infection among patients who received metronidazole suggests that anaerobic organisms are an important source of wound infection in head and neck oncologic surgery. Chemoprophylaxis for these patients should, therefore, include specific anaerobic coverage in addition to the broad-spectrum agents that cover the more familiar aerobic organisms.     

Perioperative single dose prevention with cephalosporins in the ENT area. A prospective randomized study]

Perioperative systemic antibiotic cover is usually recommended in major head and neck surgery with the aim of preventing postoperative wound infection. The surgeon must administer the drug most suitable for the particular operation and patient at an adequate dosage and over an adequate period. On the other hand, he has an obligation to minimize costs and find ways of avoiding the development of bacterial resistance to the antibiotic. This means that prophylactic antibiotics may not have too broad an antibacterial spectrum and may only be used over the short term. In an attempt to improve antibiotic prophylactic in head and neck surgery, we tested the effectiveness of a perioperative single-dose antibiotic cover with cefuroxim (Zinacef) in patients undergoing parotidectomy, sinus surgery or neck dissection with no transcutaneous exploration of the pharynx. This single-shot prophylaxis was compared with a three-shot, 24-hour regimen using the same antibiotic. The two regimens were equally effective in preventing wound infection and no case of infection was observed among the 106 patients involved. Preoperative concentrations of cefuroxim were measured in serum and tissue, and the large majority of specimens showed effective concentrations against the typical wound infection bacteria. In conclusion, a perioperative single-dose administration of cefuroxim proved to be suitable prophylaxis against postoperative wound infection in head and neck surgery.     

The non-value of preoperative and intraoperative cultures in predicting the bacteriology of subsequent wound infection in patients undergoing major head and neck cancer surgery

A prospective study of patients undergoing major head and neck cancer surgery was undertaken to define the value of preoperative and intraoperative cultures in identifying the patient at “high risk” of wound infection and in predicting the bacteriology of wound infection. One or two days before surgery, the skin of the operative site on the neck, the oropharynx and anterior nares were swabbed. An intraoperative wound culture was obtained after the pharyngeal defect was closed and the wound irrigated with water. All cultures were processed for aerobes in the Anaerobic Bacteriology Research Laboratory at Wadsworth Hospital Center. Wound infections developed in 10 of 31 patients who received cefazolin prophylactically and 21 of 25 patients who received no perioperative antibiotics. Fifty-five percent of infected patients and 68% of noninfected patients demonstrated potential pathogens preoperatively. A potential pathogen isolated preoperatively or intraoperatively was subsequently recovered from 35% of infected wounds. The majority of infected wound cultures grew one or more additional pathogens. A poor correlation was also noted between preoperative nasal Staphylococcus aureus isolation and subsequent recovery from wound infections. We conclude that preoperative and intraoperative aerobic wound cultures are not predictive of the “high risk” patient or of the bacteriology of subsequent wound infection in major head and neck cancer surgery.     

A randomized prospective controlled trial of antibiotic prophylaxis in intraoral bone grafting procedures: single-dose clindamycin versus 24-hour clindamycin prophylaxis.

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy of a single oral dose of clindamycin with a 24-h protocol of clindamycin administration in local buccal onlay grafting procedures. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective randomized study in 124 patients was performed. Eligible patients were randomized to receive antibiotic prophylaxis either as a single dose (group I) or over a 24-h period (group II). In both groups prophylaxis started with an oral dose of 600 mg clindamycin 1 h before surgery, followed by either placebo or 300 mg clindamycin every 6 h. The primary endpoint of this study was wound infection at the receptor site within 8 weeks after surgery. Secondary outcome measurements included postoperative infections at the donor site and adverse events as a result of antibiotic administration. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 35.9+/-10.1 years (range 18-59 years). Infections at the receptor site were seen in two patients (3.2%, 95% CI 0-7.6%) of the single-dose group and in three patients (4.8%, 95% CI 0-10.1%) of the 24-h group. Infection at the donor site occurred in four patients (6.4%, 95% CI 0-12.5%) of the single-dose group and in two patients (3.2%, 95% CI 0-7.6%) of the 24-h group. Postoperative infections were predominantly caused by alpha-hemolytic streptococci sensitive to penicillin. CONCLUSIONS: No statistically significant difference was found between the prophylactic single dose of clindamycin and the 24-h regimen of clindamycin with regard to postoperative infection in patients undergoing local bone augmentation procedures.     

Antibiotic treatment in surgery for cholesteatoma

Cholesteatoma surgery is considered as a dirty one and consequently tributary of preoperative and postoperative antibiotic treatment. Thirty-seven patients diagnosed of cholesteatoma and surgically treated in 1994 are retrospectively analyzed in this article. All of them, whether or not presented with active preoperative otorrhea, received a protocolized antibiotic treatment with topical gentamicin and dexamethasone and oral clindamycin during seven postoperative days. The presence or absence of preoperative or postoperative infection, usually as suppuration is analyzed. Otopyorrhea occurred in 22 patients (62%) before surgery and only in 9 cases (25%) after surgery. Preoperative discharging ears showed greater disposition to continuing the suppuration. The surgical technique followed and the reconstructive middle ear procedure--with autologous bone or other synthetic materials (PORP, TORP)--have not proved, statistically, any predictably value regarding the appearance of any active postoperative infection. As a result of the study done, oral ciprofloxacin has been protocolized only in those adults showing a refractory suppuration to the antibiotic treatment employed. In patients with preoperative otorrhea, topical ciprofloxacin has been protocolized before surgery with the main aim to decrease the postoperative infections incidence of these cases.     

Pulmonary complications following major head and neck surgery with tracheostomy: a prospective, randomized, controlled trial of prophylactic antibiotics

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that extended postoperative antibiotic cover would reduce the incidence of pulmonary complications in patients undergoing major head and neck surgery with tracheostomy. DESIGN: A prospective, randomized, controlled trial was carried out to determine the efficacy of an extended course (5 days) of intravenous amoxicillin-clavulanic acid in reducing the rate of atelectasis and pulmonary infections postoperatively. Other possible risk factors that might predispose to pulmonary complications were also evaluated. SETTING: Tertiary referral center for head and neck surgery. PATIENTS: Consecutive patients younger than 80 years with planned surgery for carcinoma of the oral cavity, pharynx, or larynx were enrolled. Patients with diabetes, those who had received antibiotics within 1 week before surgery, and those with preexisting pulmonary disease were excluded. INTERVENTION: Patients were randomly assigned no antibiotics or a 5-day course of intravenous amoxicillin-clavulanic acid postoperatively. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The development of pulmonary complications (pulmonary infection or atelectasis). RESULTS: Eighty-six patients were enrolled; 73 patients met the criteria for analysis. Thirty-four (47%) developed pulmonary complications; 29 (40%) had a pulmonary infection. An extended course of antibiotics did not reduce the rate of pulmonary infections (P =.57). Positive risk factors for a pulmonary infection were presence of preoperative obstructive lung function and postoperative atelectasis. CONCLUSIONS: An extended course of antibiotics did not prevent the development of postoperative pulmonary infections in patients undergoing major head and neck surgery with tracheostomy. Poor pulmonary function and postoperative atelectasis emerged as significant risk factors for pulmonary infection.     

Prophylactic antibiotics in head and neck free flap surgery: A novel protocol put to the test

ObjectiveRecent evidence supports the use of ampicillin-sulbactam as a favored choice for antibiotic prophylaxis following head and neck free flap reconstructive surgery. However, there is a paucity of evidence guiding the optimal duration of antibiotic prophylaxis. The aim of this study is to compare the infection rates of short courses of ampicillin-sulbactam versus extended courses of various antibiotics in head and neck free flap reconstructive surgery.MethodsThis is a retrospective cohort study conducted from 2012 to 2017 at a tertiary academic center on 266 consecutive patients undergoing head and neck surgery with free flap reconstruction. The primary outcome measure was the rate of any infection within 30 days of surgery.ResultsThere were 149 patients who received antibiotic prophylaxis for an extended duration of at least seven days. 117 patients received a short course of antibiotics defined as 24 h for non-radiated patients and 72 h for radiated patients. Postoperative infections occurred in 45.9% of patients, of which 92.6% occurred at surgical sites. There was no significant difference in terms of postoperative infection rate between patients receiving an extended duration of antibiotics versus a short duration (p = 0.80). This held true for subgroups of surgical site infections (p = 0.38) and distant infections (p = 0.59 for pneumonia and p = 0.76 for UTI). Risk factors for infections were identified as hypothyroidism (p = 0.047) and clean contaminated wound classification (p = 0.0002).ConclusionShorter duration of ampicillin-sulbactam prophylaxis in free flap reconstruction of head and neck defects does not negatively affect postoperative infection rates.Level of evidenceLevel 2b.     

Cervicofacial rhytidectomy after head and neck tumor removal.

OBJECTIVE: To compare intraoperative and postoperative complication rates of cervicofacial rhytidectomy after head and neck tumor removal with complication rates of rhytidectomy in the normal patient population. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective chart review and literature review. METHODS: A sample of 11 patients treated by a single surgeon (D.A.S.) at an academic referral center who met the inclusion criteria was reviewed for previous head and neck surgical history, medical history, and surgical results and subsequent complications of the facial esthetic procedure. These rates were compared with the complication rates for cervicofacial rhytidectomy in normal patients as quoted in the general medical literature. RESULTS: Patients ranged in age from 48 to 75 years (mean age, 58 y). Of the 11, no patient experienced a major complication of rhytidectomy, and two experienced a minor postoperative complication. Both patients had received postoperative radiation for the treatment of their previous tumor, and both noted a small (<1.5 cm) area of wound dehiscence before postoperative day 10, which required no revision and healed without sequelae. No other intraoperative or postoperative complications were found. CONCLUSION: Cervicofacial rhytidectomy may be safely and effectively performed on postoperative patients with head and neck tumors without increased incidence of major complications when compared with patients without a surgical tumor history. The increased incidence of minor wound dehiscence experienced by 2 of the 3 patients who received postoperative radiation in this study may indicate that small areas of skin incision dehiscence are more likely in patients who have been radiated. Surgeons performing rhytidectomy on patients with head and neck tumors who were previously radiated should consider more meticulous subdermal closure to avoid such dehiscence. Patients should be informed of the slightly higher risk of dehiscence before surgery.     

Safety of the “incidental” neck dissection or exploration during free tissue transfer after head and neck irradiation

ImportancePatients with either local recurrence of head and neck cancer or osteoradionecrosis after prior radiation treatment often require free tissue transfer for optimal reconstruction. In this setting, neck exploration for vessels is necessary, and an “incidental” neck dissection is often accomplished despite clinically negative cervical lymph nodes. While neck surgery in the post-radiated setting is technically challenging, the safety of post-radiated elective neck dissection or neck exploration for vessels is not well-studied, especially for patients undergoing non-laryngectomy salvage resections.ObjectiveTo define intraoperative and postoperative surgical complications for patients undergoing elective neck dissection or exploration with free tissue transfer reconstruction in the post-radiated setting, with attention to complications from neck surgery.DesignRetrospective cohort study. Patient charts from May 2005 to April 2020 were reviewed.SettingTertiary care referral center.ParticipantsPatients underwent free tissue transfer after prior head and neck irradiation for non-laryngeal local cancer recurrence or second primary, osteoradionecrosis, or for sole reconstructive purposes. Patients with clinically positive neck disease were excluded.Main outcomes and measuresIntraoperative and postoperative complications including unplanned vessel or nerve injury, hematoma, chyle leak, wound dehiscence, wound infection, fistula formation, flap failure, and perioperative medical complications. Neck exploration and neck dissection patient outcomes were compared by Fisher exact test.ResultsSeventy-two patients (56 men and 16 women) of average age sixty-one (range 34–89) were identified with average follow-up 25.7 months. Most patients (78%) underwent salvage neck dissection, and the rest underwent neck exploration for vessels only. There were five intraoperative neck complications: three vessel injuries and two nerve injuries. There were twenty-six postoperative surgical complications among eighteen patients. There was no difference in surgical complications whether patients underwent neck dissection or exploration only. Two partial and two complete flap failures occurred. There were nine perioperative medical complications among six patients.Conclusions and relevanceElective neck dissection or exploration among patients undergoing free tissue transfer in the post-radiated setting carries a risk of both intraoperative and postoperative surgical complications. The present study defines risk of complications and helps to inform patient discussions for risk of complications in the post-radiated setting.     

Role of perioperative antibiotics in endoscopic skull base surgery

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Direct connection between the sinonasal and intracranial cavities and passage of multiple instruments and graft materials through a contaminated field occur routinely during endoscopic pituitary and skull base surgery. Despite the theoretical risk of intracranial contamination with sinonasal flora, the incidence of central nervous system (CNS) infection following such procedures is not well documented, and the ideal antibiotic regimen has yet to be determined. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective case series of 24 to 48 hours of single-agent perioperative antibiotics in patients undergoing endoscopic skull base surgery. METHODS: Prospective database of procedures performed between January 2004 and May 2006 was reviewed for antibiotic use and infectious complications. RESULTS: The diagnoses of the 90 patients in this series included pituitary tumor (62%), craniopharyngioma (9%), encephalocele (9%), and meningioma (8%). Fifty-eight (64%) patients experienced intraoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak. A variety of autologous, synthetic grafts, hemostatic agents, and tissue sealants were placed through the sinonasal cavity for reconstruction. All patients received 24 to 48 hours of a single antibiotic based on patient sensitivity: cefazolin (87%), vancomycin (10%), or clindamycin (3%). Additional antibiotics were subsequently required during the hospital stay in eight (9%) patients for a variety of indications. There were no cases of intracranial infections or meningitis in patients with or without intraoperative CSF leak. CONCLUSIONS: Despite direct contamination of the intracranial cavity during endoscopic, endonasal skull base surgery, the risk of CNS infections is low. Limited use of a single perioperative antibiotic may be sufficient prophylaxis.