Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery
Volume 63, Issue 12 , Pages 2001-2003, December 2010

The bacteriology of children prior to 1st stage autologous ear reconstruction

  • Karen A. Eley

      Affiliations

    • Department of Plastic Surgery, Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust, Headley Way, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. Fax: +44 01865 743108.
    • Department of Plastic Surgery, Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust, UK.
    • ,
  • David T. Gault

      Affiliations

    • Department of Plastic Surgery, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust, London WC1N 1JH, UK
    • Plastic Surgeon, The Portland Hospital, UK.

Received 5 November 2009; accepted 14 January 2010. published online 19 February 2010.

Summary 

In virtually all surgical specialities the use of peri-operative antibiotic prophylaxis to minimise wound site infection is routine practice. Antibiotic selection is targeted towards the pathogens most commonly encountered at the surgical site.

The surgical management of microtia is by autologous rib cartilage reconstruction, a process that involves at least two surgical stages. The pits and recesses of the microtia ear are difficult to clean and may shelter unusual pathogens not routinely found as skin commensals, requiring modified prophylaxis. This retrospective review of 37 patients undergoing 1st stage ear reconstruction, examines the pre-operative ear site, nose and throat swabs to determine the common pre-operative bacteria encountered in children prior to ear reconstruction, to aid in appropriate antibiotic selection.

Keywords: Ear, Reconstruction, Swab, Microbiology, Surgical prophylaxis

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PII: S1748-6815(10)00033-1

doi:10.1016/j.bjps.2010.01.009

Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery
Volume 63, Issue 12 , Pages 2001-2003, December 2010

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