Retrospective analysis of a new antibiotic chemoprophylaxis regimen in 170 patients undergoing endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal surgery.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to evaluate the rate of infectious complications post endoscopic transspheinodal neurosurgery in patients receiving a new antibiotic chemoprophylaxis regimen. METHODS: Clinical records of 170 patients who received prophylaxis with a third-generation cephalosporin plus aminoglycoside (160 cases) or alone (10 cases) were retrospectively analyzed. Twenty-eight patients (16.4%) had CSF leakage. The postsurgical follow-up ranged from 3 months to 4 years. RESULTS: Of 170 patients, 2 (1.17%) developed infectious complications: 1 case of meningitis by Staphylococcus epidermidis and 1 case of sphenoid sinusitis (without microbiological diagnosis). In addition, asymptomatic sphenoid sinusitis was diagnosed in 2 other patients. The cost ranged from 22.50 to 33.34 euros/d. CONCLUSIONS: The rate of infectious complications was very low in patients receiving prophylaxis with a third-generation cephalosporin plus aminoglycoside or alone; because of the broad-spectrum of antibiotics and their high cost, this regimen could be used in at-risk patients (eg, smokers, patients with cerebrospinal leak, or patients with Cushing diseases).