Risk factors for surgical site infection in free-flap reconstructive surgery for head and neck cancer: Retrospective Australian cohort study

Abstract

Background: Surgical site infections (SSI) are common complications of free-flap reconstruction for head and neck cancer defects. This study aimed to identify risk factors for SSI following a significant change in local antibiotic prophylaxis practice. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted of 325 patients receiving free-flap reconstruction for head and neck cancer defects at a tertiary hospital in Melbourne, Australia between 2013 and 2019. Charts were queried for recipient SSI (primary outcome), donor SSI, other infections, antibiotic use, hospital length of stay, and mortality. Results: Risk factors for SSI included female sex, T-classification, hardware insertion, clindamyci..