Evaluating Prophylactic Antibiotic Use in Facial Fractures

Abstract

Specific Aims: To evaluate the effectiveness of prophylactic antibiotic administration in preventing surgical site infections in patients with traumatic facial fractures. Methods: A retrospective cohort review of patients admitted to Banner University Medical Center Tucson Trauma Service with traumatic facial injuries was conducted. Patient records were evaluated for their baseline demographics, receipt of operative repair, antibiotic administration, and incidence of infection. Results: Of 733 patients included in the study there were a total of 20 infections. Only five of these infections were of the head and or neck, with negligible differences between patients who received or did not recive antibitoics. Conclusions: Antibiotic prophylaxis in patients with traumatic facial fractures does not appear to reduce the incidence of head and or neck surgical site infections.