Algorithmic Approach to Antibiotic Prophylaxis for Traumatic Craniomaxillofacial Injuries

Prophylactic antibiotics are commonly used in the management of traumatic injuries to the maxillofacial complex, yet there are no set guidelines for when and when not to prescribe. The purpose of this review is to present the evidence for antibiotic prophylaxis in different clinical scenarios and to propose algorithms to facilitate the decision making process with the ultimate goal of improving antibiotic prescribing practices. A number of databases were searched using a wide range of keywords to ensure the topic was fully encapsulated. The review is divided into 3 sections: soft tissue trauma, maxillofacial fractures, and ballistic injuries. The algorithms were constructed using the current evidence as well as pathophysiologic principles, especially when there were insufficient studies. This review found the literature on antibiotic prophylaxis to be highly varied and not standardized. Creating an algorithm for providers to follow will help to set a standard of care and decrease the misuse of antibiotics.