Bacterial colonization of laryngectomy stomas

• Published in: Journal of laryngology and otology Vol. 118; no. 9; pp. 710 - 712
• Main Authors: Wild, D.C., Mehta, D., Conboy, P.J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge, UK Cambridge University Press 01.09.2004
• Subjects: (RF) Otorhinolaryngology; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Antibiotics; Bacteria; Bacteria - isolation & purification; Bacterial Colonization; Biological and medical sciences; Carrier State - microbiology; Cellulitis; Female; Fistula; Hospitalization; Humans; Laryngectomy; Male; Medical sciences; Methicillin Resistance; Middle Aged; Nosocomial infections; Organisms; Ostomy; Otorhinolaryngology. Stomatology; Patients; Radiation therapy; Signs; Staphylococcus Aureus; Staphylococcus aureus - drug effects; Staphylococcus aureus - isolation & purification; Staphylococcus infections; Streptococcus infections; Surgery; Surgical Stomas - microbiology; United Kingdom > UK; Staphylococcus Aureus; Methicillin Resistance; Laryngectomy; Bacterial Colonization; Infection; Treatment; Surgery; Bacteriosis; ENT; Stoma; Colonization
• ISSN: 0022-2151; 1748-5460
• DOI: 10.1258/0022215042244688

Infections with organisms resistant to conventional antibiotics are of increasing concern. This observational study investigates the bacterial colonization of the peristomal area of laryngectomy patients. Thirty-two consecutive patients who had previously undergone laryngectomy were recruited from the Head and Neck Clinic of a teaching hospital. Swabs were taken from the laryngectomy stoma site, the mouth and both nasal cavities. Microbiological culture and isolation were performed following standard procedures. Despite no clinical sign of infection, 27 patients were found to be carriers of one or more organism (84.4 per cent). Staphylococcus aureus was detected in the peristomal area of 15 patients (46.9 per cent). Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was isolated in seven (21.9 per cent) cases. In this series the authors found a high incidence of colonization with potentially pathogenic bacteria in laryngectomy stomas with no clinical signs of infection. In a significant number of patients, Gram positive organisms were identified that could potentially cause cellulitis or wound infections.