Infections after Gracilis Free Flap Reconstruction

Abstract

Objective: Investigate the incidence, bacteriology, and clinical outcomes of surgical site infection (SSI) after gracilis transfer for facial reanimation, with a focus on determining the optimal perioperative antibiotics in these clean-contaminated cases. Method: A retrospective chart review was performed for facial paralysis patients who underwent gracilis free flap reconstruction from 2003 to 2010. Microbiology, medication allergies, type and duration of perioperative prophylactic antibiotics, surgery length, and ASA status were reviewed. Functional smile outcomes were compared between those who developed infections and those who were infection-free. Results: Since 2003, 110 patients have undergone 116 gracilis free flap operations for facial reanimation, with 6 SSIs. All of the infections occurred in patients receiving clindamycin, levofloxacin, and/or cefazolin perioperative antibiotics. None of the patients who received ampicillin/sulbactam developed a SSI. Surgical site cultures from infected patients grew alpha-hemolytic streptococci, Haemophilus parainfluenzae, Fusobacterium, coagulase-negative staphylococci, and Neisseria. Notably, there were no methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections. In the patients with SSIs, the mean oral commissure excursion improved by 7.49 ± 3.83 mm, which was not significantly different from noninfected patients with subjective excellent outcomes of 11.4 ± 7.1 mm. Conclusion: In gracilis flap infections, the organisms identified were consistent with oral flora. Infections occurred in patients receiving prophylactic clindamycin, levaquin, and/or cefazolin, but not in those receiving prophylactic ampicillin/sulbactam. Infections were not associated with decreased functional outcome. These data may have implications for the optimal choice of prophylactic antibiotics.