The study design is a single-arm prospective trial. It will investigate the microbial effects of topical antisepsis on upper aerodigestive tract and reconstructive surgery in head and neck cancer patients. The primary hypothesis is that topical antisepsis will significantly decrease oral bacterial load and the presence of pathogenic organisms. Secondary outcomes will include identification of the source of the infectious bacterial organisms, surgical and non-surgical site infections, serious topical antisepsis-related complications, serious adverse events, and hospital revisits. The study populations will include head and neck cancer patients age 18 or greater undergoing head and neck reconstructive surgery in which there is a communication between the upper aerodigestive tract and the cervical skin which requires a planned vascularized reconstruction, either a regional pedicled flap or a free tissue transfer. The accrual goal will be 25 patients. Data collection will occur in both the inpatient and outpatient settings. Patients will be enrolled during their preoperative clinic visit. Each patient will be followed for study outcomes until 30 days postoperatively.
This is a single-arm prospective trial of an intra- and postoperative topical antiseptic bundle. The study will recruit patients undergoing an open surgical resection of the upper aerodigestive tract requiring a planed vascularized reconstruction, which may be either pedicled and/or free flap. The objectives are to evaluate antimicrobial effects of a perioperative topical antiseptic bundle and to identify the source of surgical site infection as well as the rate of 30-day adverse events in head and neck cancer.