Is levofloxacin necessary to prevent postoperative infections of auricular second-intention wounds?

Author(s): Mailler-Savage EA, Neal KW Jr, Godsey T, Adams BB, Gloster HM Jr

Affiliation(s): Department of Dermatology, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio 45207, USA.

Publication date & source: 2008-01, Dermatol Surg., 34(1):26-30

Publication type: Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND: Surgeons may prescribe oral quinolones after auricular procedures to prevent postoperative infections, especially those caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. OBJECTIVE: This study compares the efficacy of levofloxacin and local wound care to local wound care alone in preventing postoperative infection of auricular second-intention wounds. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was a prospective, randomized trial of 84 consecutive patients (82 in the final analysis) who underwent Mohs micrographic surgery for an auricular neoplasm and had a wound left to heal by second intention. After surgery, patients were randomly assigned to receive either local wound care or local wound care with concurrent 500 mg of levofloxacin by mouth daily. RESULTS: Overall, 85.4% of patients had no complications. Complications included 12.2% of patients with inflammatory chondritis and 2.4% of patients with infection. No infections with P. aeruginosa were observed. No statistical significance was observed between the two treatment groups. CONCLUSION: Levofloxacin is not necessary to prevent postoperative infections of auricular second-intention wounds after Mohs surgery.