Impact of the practical guideline on appropriate usage of antimicrobial treatments for surgical site infections in reconstructive surgery of head and neck cancer.

[OBJECTIVES] In 2016, Japanese Society of Chemotherapy and Japan Society for Surgical Infection presented the practical guideline for appropriate usage of antimicrobial agents to prevent postoperative infections. This study aims to exhibit the validity of the guideline as a series of effective strategies for prevention of surgical site infections (SSIs) during reconstructive surgery of the head and neck cancer.

[METHODS] We retrospectively evaluated patients who underwent head and neck reconstructive surgery with free or pedicle flaps in a single institute in Japan between July 2010 and July 2020. We evaluated the incidence of SSIs, patient backgrounds, and microbiological characteristics on the basis of antimicrobial prophylaxis recommended by the guideline.

[RESULTS] Enrolled in this study were 102 patients in our institution who underwent head and neck reconstructive surgery with free or pedicle flaps between July 2010 and July 2020. In the period between January 2018 to July 2020 after the SSI guideline was advocated (SSI guideline period), the ratio of administration of sulbactam/ampicillin (SBT/ABPC) was significantly higher (P < 0.001) and the duration of prophylactic antimicrobial treatment was significantly shorter than in the period between July 2010 to December 2017 before the SSI guideline was advocated (Pre-SSI guideline period) (P < 0.001). Incidence of SSIs were similar, even when antibiotic use was changed to be short-term single-agent administration in accordance with the practical guideline.

[CONCLUSIONS] Adherence to the current Japanese practical guideline on appropriate antimicrobial prophylaxis for SSIs can shorten the duration of usage of antimicrobial treatment without increasing the risk for occurrence of SSIs.