[ENT antibiotic therapy: therapeutic guidelines. Part I]

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Infectious Diseases
• Microbiology

Context:

• Ear, nose, and throat (ENT) infections encompass a wide range of conditions requiring appropriate antimicrobial treatment.
• Accurate diagnosis and targeted therapy are essential to prevent complications and antimicrobial resistance.

Purpose:

• To outline criteria for selecting adequate antibiotic therapy in ENT infections.
• To emphasize the role of Gram's stain and pathogen characteristics in guiding treatment decisions.
• To provide therapeutic principles for various ENT infections, including surgical and post-operative scenarios.

Summary:

• Discusses the spectrum of ENT infections and criteria for antibiotic selection.
• Highlights the importance of Gram's stain for "supercalculated" (targeted) therapy, reducing overtreatment and side effects.
• Details indications for Gram's stain, pathogen characteristics, and the choice between oral or parenteral administration based on infection severity.
• Outlines therapeutic principles by grouping infections with similar pathogen profiles and specifies antibiotic indications.
• Addresses antibiotic use in surgical infections, peri-operative prophylaxis, and management of post-operative complications.

Impact:

• Facilitates optimized antibiotic selection, minimizing patient exposure to unnecessary drugs and adverse events.
• Promotes evidence-based treatment strategies for ENT infections, potentially improving patient outcomes.
• Provides a framework for managing complex infectious scenarios in otolaryngology, including surgical contexts.