PREOPERATIVE BACTERIAL-COLONIZATION AND ITS INFLUENCE ON POSTOPERATIVE WOUND INFECTIONS IN PLASTIC-SURGERY

During two separate periods a total of 654 patients were included in a clinical study relating preoperative bacterial colonization to occurr ence of postoperative wound infection in plastic surgery During the se cond period one half of the patients were randomized to receive prophy lactic azithromycin. Bacteriological samples were collected from the n asal vestibulum during both periods, and additionally from the surgica l field during the second period. All patients had preoperative chlorh exidine bathing. The bacteriological findings were categorized as eith er normal flora or potentially pathogenic bacteria, and as either havi ng no growth. Surgical wounds were divided into four contamination cla sses. Postoperative follow-up was 30 days, and assessment of wound inf ection was based on a graded scale. We did not find any statistically significant relation between preoperative bacterial colonization and p ostoperative wound infection, regardless of place of sample collection , method of bacterial classification, class of contamination or use of prophylactic azithromycin.