Factors influencing the development of wound infection following free-flap reconstruction for intra-oral cancer

dc.contributor.authorCloke, D.
dc.contributor.authorGreen, J.
dc.contributor.authorKhan, A.
dc.contributor.authorHodgkinson, P.
dc.contributor.authorMcLean, N.
dc.date.issued2004
dc.description.abstractWound infection following tissue transfer in head and neck oncology is common. Factors known to be associated with infective complications include blood transfusion, pre-operative radiotherapy, duration of surgery, duration of pre-operative stay and a history of smoking. The present study specifically examined 100 consecutive patients on a standard antibiotic protocol undergoing free flap reconstruction following resection of cancers of the oral cavity or oropharynx. Despite prophylactic antibiotics, 21 patients developed a head and neck wound infection. No statistically significant association was found between infective wound complications and a history of smoking, pre-operative radiotherapy or chemotherapy, length of pre-operative hospital stay, duration of surgery, or number of units of blood transfused. We conclude that, in this group of patients, wound infection is a common and difficult problem, but with no statistically significant association with any of the variables studied.
dc.identifier.citationJournal of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, 2004; 57(7):556-560
dc.identifier.doi10.1016/j.bjps.2004.04.006
dc.identifier.issn1748-6815
dc.identifier.issn0007-1226
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/2440/10549
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherPrint Edition - Churchill Livingstone
dc.source.urihttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.bjps.2004.04.006
dc.subjectSurgical Flaps
dc.subjectHumans
dc.subjectStaphylococcal Infections
dc.subjectSurgical Wound Infection
dc.subjectMouth Neoplasms
dc.subjectCefuroxime
dc.subjectMetronidazole
dc.subjectDrug Therapy, Combination
dc.subjectPremedication
dc.subjectProspective Studies
dc.subjectAdult
dc.subjectAged
dc.subjectAged, 80 and over
dc.subjectMiddle Aged
dc.subjectFemale
dc.subjectMale
dc.subjectPlastic Surgery Procedures
dc.titleFactors influencing the development of wound infection following free-flap reconstruction for intra-oral cancer
dc.typeJournal article
pubs.publication-statusPublished

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