[The use of clindamycin and netilmicin for preventing postoperative wound infection in patients with cancer of the upper respiratory and digestive tracts].

Clindamycin (2.7 g/day) and netilmicin (5.6 mg/kg) were used for 6-10 days in 27 patients with laryngeal and oral cancer versus beta-lactam antibiotics and aminoglycosides received by 56 matched patients to prevent infection of the operative wound. Suppuration was observed in 11.1 and 41.4% of the patients, respectively (p < 0.05), the temperature rose over 38 degrees C in 22.2% and 42.9% of the patients, respectively (p < 0.05). The regimens showed similar toxicity. The findings proved high efficacy of clindamycin combination with netilmicin in infection prophylaxis in patients operated on for upper respiratory and digestive tract cancer.