Cleft soft palate reconstruction: prospective study on infection and antibiotics

The aim of this prospective study was to identify possible pathogenic organisms associated with wound complications in the form of wound infections, wound breakdown and the formation of oro-nasal fistulas. The organisms’ resistance profile to antibiotics was also evaluated. This prospective study consisted of the evaluation of the intra-oral microbiological profile of 100 babies with soft palate cleft deformities peri-operatively. A wide spectrum of pathogenic organisms from the upper aero-digestive track was isolated, as well as a group of organisms that originated from the colon/perineum. The latter organisms were mostly associated with postoperative complications. The antibiotic resistance profile showed a high resistance to commonly used antibiotics such as ampicillin, amoxycillin-clavulanic acid, and first- and second-generation cephalosporins. The resistance profile of the organisms needs to be reassessed and appropriate antibiotics must be used in combination with an antimicrobial mouth rinse.