Efficacy of piperacillin-tazobactam in the treatment of surgical wound infection after clean-contaminated head and neck oncologic surgery

Background, Although perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis has significantly reduced surgical wound infection rates, this complication is still a frequent complication of head and neck cancer surgery. Because these infections are typically polymicrobial, our study evaluated the safety and efficacy of piperacillin-tazobactam in the treatment of surgical wound infection after clean-contaminated head and neck oncologic surgery. Methods. In this multicenter, prospective clinical trial, 70 patients with surgical wound infection received piperacillin-tazobactam. Results. Of patients who were evaluable, 92.4% were also clinically cured or improved, and the bacteriologic eradication rate was 80.3%. Of the 70 patients enrolled in the study, six (8.5%) experienced six adverse events: two cases of moderate diarrhea, one allergic skin reaction, and three cases of phlebitis. No deaths were attributable to the study drug. Conclusions. Piperacillin-tazobactam is a good choice of treatment as monotherapy for surgical wound infection after clean-contaminated head and neck oncologic surgery. (C) 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.