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Perioperative antibiotic practices amongst Otorhinolaryngologists (Ear, Nose & Throat Surgeons) in South Africa

Background: The primary goal of perioperative antibiotics is to reduce the rate of surgical site infections (SSI); however, in certain surgical procedures, the use of perioperative antibiotics has been shown to have no impact on the rate of SSI. Inappropriate use of antimicrobials not only comes at...

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Main Author: White, Matthew
Other Authors: Peer, Shazia
Format: Thesis
Language:English
Published: Division of General Surgery 2024
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access_status_str Open Access
author White, Matthew
author2 Peer, Shazia
author_browse Peer, Shazia
White, Matthew
author_facet Peer, Shazia
White, Matthew
author_sort White, Matthew
collection Thesis
description Background: The primary goal of perioperative antibiotics is to reduce the rate of surgical site infections (SSI); however, in certain surgical procedures, the use of perioperative antibiotics has been shown to have no impact on the rate of SSI. Inappropriate use of antimicrobials not only comes at increased cost and risk of side effects to the patient, but also promotes antibiotic resistance. Antibiotic resistance is arguably one of the greatest current and future threats the health sector faces globally; accounting for approximately 700 000 deaths in 2016, which is projected to rise to 10 million by 2050. In otorhinolaryngology, multiple evidence-based guidelines have been developed to guide decision-making regarding antibiotic prophylaxis in ear, nose and throat (ENT), and head and neck surgery. This study aims to provide insight into the adherence of South African ENT surgeons to available evidence-based international guidelines. Methods: An electronic survey was sent to practising ENT Surgeons in South Africa. Surgeons were asked to indicate their personal antibiotic prescribing practise for general and subspecialty procedures. Results: A total of 92 members of the South African ENT society completed the survey. Respondents indicated that they utilize the following resources to guide their decisions regarding perioperative antibiotic prescribing: anecdotal evidence 27 % (25/92), practices of the surgeon's postgraduate training unit 28% (26/92), published international guidelines 28% (26/92), recommendation of their local hospital's microbiologists 14% (13/92), attending anaesthetists discretion 0 % (0/92). Respondents indicated they take the following factors into consideration to guide decisions regarding perioperative antimicrobial use: 48% (35/92) duration of surgery, 85% (78/92) degree of contamination of the surgical field, 8% (7/92) patient's age, 8% (7/92) degree of blood loss, 22% (20/92) HIV status of patient, 32% (20/92) patient's access to hospital. 35% (32/92) of respondents indicated they audit their own rate of wound complications. For paediatric tonsillectomies, 35% (32/92) routinely prescribe perioperative antibiotics. For insertion of tympanostomy tubes, 50% (46/92) prescribe systemic perioperative antibiotics and 77 % (61/92) use ototopicals. Conclusion: There is significant heterogeneity in the use of perioperative antibiotic prescribing practices and variable adherence to international consensus guidelines amongst ENT surgeons in South Africa. In light of the global increase in antibiotic resistance, this study highlights the need for increased awareness regarding the principles of antibiotic stewardship, pre-existing evidence-based guidelines and the need for a locally-generated South African Otorhinolaryngology consensus guideline that promotes safe and rational use of perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis.
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provenance_str_mv Harvested via OAI-PMH from UCTD — University of Cape Town Open Access Repository
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spelling oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/39925 Perioperative antibiotic practices amongst Otorhinolaryngologists (Ear, Nose & Throat Surgeons) in South Africa White, Matthew Peer, Shazia General Surgery Background: The primary goal of perioperative antibiotics is to reduce the rate of surgical site infections (SSI); however, in certain surgical procedures, the use of perioperative antibiotics has been shown to have no impact on the rate of SSI. Inappropriate use of antimicrobials not only comes at increased cost and risk of side effects to the patient, but also promotes antibiotic resistance. Antibiotic resistance is arguably one of the greatest current and future threats the health sector faces globally; accounting for approximately 700 000 deaths in 2016, which is projected to rise to 10 million by 2050. In otorhinolaryngology, multiple evidence-based guidelines have been developed to guide decision-making regarding antibiotic prophylaxis in ear, nose and throat (ENT), and head and neck surgery. This study aims to provide insight into the adherence of South African ENT surgeons to available evidence-based international guidelines. Methods: An electronic survey was sent to practising ENT Surgeons in South Africa. Surgeons were asked to indicate their personal antibiotic prescribing practise for general and subspecialty procedures. Results: A total of 92 members of the South African ENT society completed the survey. Respondents indicated that they utilize the following resources to guide their decisions regarding perioperative antibiotic prescribing: anecdotal evidence 27 % (25/92), practices of the surgeon's postgraduate training unit 28% (26/92), published international guidelines 28% (26/92), recommendation of their local hospital's microbiologists 14% (13/92), attending anaesthetists discretion 0 % (0/92). Respondents indicated they take the following factors into consideration to guide decisions regarding perioperative antimicrobial use: 48% (35/92) duration of surgery, 85% (78/92) degree of contamination of the surgical field, 8% (7/92) patient's age, 8% (7/92) degree of blood loss, 22% (20/92) HIV status of patient, 32% (20/92) patient's access to hospital. 35% (32/92) of respondents indicated they audit their own rate of wound complications. For paediatric tonsillectomies, 35% (32/92) routinely prescribe perioperative antibiotics. For insertion of tympanostomy tubes, 50% (46/92) prescribe systemic perioperative antibiotics and 77 % (61/92) use ototopicals. Conclusion: There is significant heterogeneity in the use of perioperative antibiotic prescribing practices and variable adherence to international consensus guidelines amongst ENT surgeons in South Africa. In light of the global increase in antibiotic resistance, this study highlights the need for increased awareness regarding the principles of antibiotic stewardship, pre-existing evidence-based guidelines and the need for a locally-generated South African Otorhinolaryngology consensus guideline that promotes safe and rational use of perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis. 2024-06-19T07:44:27Z 2024-06-19T07:44:27Z 2023 2024-06-06T13:10:34Z Thesis / Dissertation Masters MMed http://hdl.handle.net/11427/39925 eng application/pdf Division of General Surgery Faculty of Health Sciences
spellingShingle General Surgery
White, Matthew
Perioperative antibiotic practices amongst Otorhinolaryngologists (Ear, Nose & Throat Surgeons) in South Africa
thesis_degree_str Master's
title Perioperative antibiotic practices amongst Otorhinolaryngologists (Ear, Nose & Throat Surgeons) in South Africa
title_full Perioperative antibiotic practices amongst Otorhinolaryngologists (Ear, Nose & Throat Surgeons) in South Africa
title_fullStr Perioperative antibiotic practices amongst Otorhinolaryngologists (Ear, Nose & Throat Surgeons) in South Africa
title_full_unstemmed Perioperative antibiotic practices amongst Otorhinolaryngologists (Ear, Nose & Throat Surgeons) in South Africa
title_short Perioperative antibiotic practices amongst Otorhinolaryngologists (Ear, Nose & Throat Surgeons) in South Africa
title_sort perioperative antibiotic practices amongst otorhinolaryngologists ear nose amp throat surgeons in south africa
topic General Surgery
url http://hdl.handle.net/11427/39925
work_keys_str_mv AT whitematthew perioperativeantibioticpracticesamongstotorhinolaryngologistsearnoseampthroatsurgeonsinsouthafrica