Evaluating the Effect of Prophylactic Topical Antibiotic Irrigation on Nasal Packing Colonization Following Endoscopic Skull Base Surgery

Following endoscopic skull base surgery (ESBS), nasal packing is used to control bleeding and to support reconstruction but can be a source for possibly infectious colonization. Antibiotic use and selection in ESBS varies largely and topical antibiotics are not routinely employed despite favorable qualities (i.e. direct delivery of high antibiotic concentrations with low adverse systemic effects). The effect of prophylactic topical antibiotics on nasal packing colonization is currently understudied. A larger study is needed to test the validity of the conclusion. Employing a larger sample size undergoing ESBS (which does not directly act on the nasal cavity), the investigators hope to amend the lack of literature evaluating the effect of prophylactic topical antibiotics on nasal packing post-ESBS. THe investigators hope to contribute to the determination of an ideal antibiotic regimen following ESBS, which may be especially beneficial for immunocompromised patients or patients at risk of post-surgery infections such as meningitis. Furthermore, the effect of ESBS on the nasal flora is largely understudied, with limited literature only reporting on the nasal flora following endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). The investigators hope to also amend the lack of literature exploring the effects of ESBS on the nasal flora, especially long-term effects that may be examined in patients undergoing revision surgery.