Considerations for antibiotic prophylaxis in head and neck cancer surgery

The incidence of surgical site infections (SSI) in head and neck cancer patients undergoing microvascular free-tissue transfer remains high, despite routine peri/post-operative antibiotic prophylaxis (POABP) [1,2]. While surgical excision and use of free flaps has become mainstay treatment in complex head and neck cancers, the technical components of surgery (e.g. tumor resection, neck dissection, flap harvest and revascularization) contribute to multiple wounds with diverse microbial flora at high risk for SSI [1,3].

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