American journal of rhinology & allergy
-
Am J Rhinol Allergy · Jul 2017
ReviewAre prophylactic systemic antibiotics necessary with nasal packing? A systematic review.
The use of prophylactic systemic antibiotics with nasal packing has been a controversial topic. There are few evidence-based studies to determine the need for prophylactic systemic antibiotics. We performed a systematic literature review to determine the role of prophylactic systemic antibiotics with nasal packing in the prevention of toxic shock syndrome and local nasal infections. ⋯ There is a paucity of literature that reviewed the need for prophylactic systemic antibiotics with nasal packing. The available literature does not show a significant benefit to the use of antibiotics with nasal packing, but the studies were underpowered to detect such a difference. One must consider the associated risks of prophylactic antibiotics to the patient as well when deciding to prescribe prophylactic antibiotics.