Abstract:
AIMS : Surgical site infection is a major concern in cleft soft palate. Knowledge of the
type, number and antimicrobial resistance of pathogens present preoperatively contribute
to treatment success. The aim of this study is to determine whether or not the microbial
contamination (diversity) preoperatively has changed since 2015.
METHODS AND RESULTS : Swabs were taken from the surgical site in 103 consecutive
patients who presented for primary repair of the soft palate cleft. These were sent for
microscopy, culture and sensitivity testing. Swabs were taken before disinfecting the
site. Results were tabled and compared with two previous studies from the same facility.
Out of 103 patients, 100 patients showed positive cultures with 42 different pathogenic
micro-organisms
identified. Most dominant pathogen was Klebsiella pneumoniae,
45.6%, increased by 28% from the previous two studies, with 93.6% of these pathogens
resistant to one or more antimicrobials. Most of the other identified pathogens showed an
alarming increase in occurrence, with a wide resistance to antimicrobials.
CONCLUSIONS : The increase in number and diversity of microbial contamination as well
as their resistance to antimicrobials is a real concern. Ways of preventing postoperative
infection in a natural way need to be explored.
SIGNIFICANCE : Surgeons need to be aware of constant changes in micro-organisms.
