ANTI-MICROBIAL PROPHYLAXIS IN EAR SURGERY

Abstract

The aim of use 'of the prophylactic antibiotics is to supplement host resistance by decreasing the number of viable bacteria allowing efficient clearance by host defences.

The appropriate ntibiotic must be given m the proper

l doses to carefully selected cases at the proper time by the proper route of administration'.

Prophylactic antibiotics are not a substitute for careful surgical technique and don't permit lower standards of house \ keeping, antisepsis or asepsis.

This study esta lishes the necessity of antimicrobial prophylaxis for contaminated and clean-contaminated otologic

surgery. We

' emphasize

, however, that use of antibiotics will not

prevent the development of post-operative wound infection in I the face of technical fa lure.

I

' Gentle handling of tissue and careful observation of good

surgical technique remain a mainstay in the avoidance of post­

operative wound complications.

Infections of the middle ear cleft often involve mixed aerobic and anaerobic organisms.