Comparison of the Use of Single and
Combined Antibiotics for Head and Neck
Onco-Surgeries: A Cost effective Analysis
769-771
Correspondence
Dr. Sapna patil, Assistant professor
Dept. of Pharmacology, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Medical College
Shampura Main Road, Kadugondanahalli
Bangalore – 560045, Karnataka, India.
Phone: 09845615021
Email ID: sapnapatil75@gmail.com
Back ground and Objectives:The use of prophylactic antibiotics in surgical treatment is well-established. However, the duration and the dosage of the prophylaxis vary substantially among the surgeons. Therefore, we intended to explore the differences in the cost efficiency in single and combined antibiotics as the prophylaxis for the surgical treatment of major head and neck onco-surgeries.
Methods:50 patients of either gender with head and neck cancer, who were to undergo major surgeries were chosen. The perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis and the antibiotics which were used to treat the post operative wound infections were noted. The data on the drug costs were obtained and the cost analysis was performed by comparing the costs which were incurred on using a single antibiotic and combined antibiotics as the prophylaxis. The wound infection controlled days, the time taken for wound healing and the duration of the hospital stay were followed up.
Results:22 subjects were on single antibiotic therapy and 28 were on combination therapy. Among those who were on singleantibiotic therapy and combined therapy, 11 (50%) and 7 (25%) had post operative wound infections respectively. The Mean ± SD of the cost which was incurred on using a single antibiotic as the prophylaxis was lesser than (803.15 ± 1104.56 rupees) that which was incurred on using combined antibiotics, i.e 1524.29 ±1468.28 rupees. But, the total cost (for the prophylaxis and the post operatively used antibiotics) had no significant difference between the groups, which used a single antibiotic and combined antibiotic prophylaxis. Among the patients who developed post op infections either with the single antibiotic or with combined antibiotic use, the prophylaxis did not show a significant difference in the total cost which was incurred. Also, it did not make a significant difference in the means of the time which was taken for wound healing.
erpretation and Conclusion:There is no significant difference in the total cost which was incurred on using either a single antibiotic or combined antibiotics as the prophylaxis, due to the increased post operative infections in patients who used a single antibiotic as the prophylaxis.