From the Research
Holger's BAHA abutment infections should be treated promptly with thorough cleaning of the site and appropriate antibiotics, with a focus on preventing infection through regular cleaning and dryness, as supported by the most recent study 1.
Key Considerations
- Infections occur due to the permanent breach in the skin barrier created by the titanium abutment, allowing bacteria to enter.
- Regular preventive care includes gentle daily cleaning around the abutment with mild soap and water, followed by careful drying.
- For mild infections, cleaning the area with hydrogen peroxide or chlorhexidine solution twice daily, followed by application of antibiotic ointment such as bacitracin or mupirocin, is recommended.
- For moderate to severe infections, oral antibiotics are recommended, with cefazolin, amoxicillin-clavulanate, and ampicillin-sulbactam being the most efficient agents, as shown in the study 1.
Treatment Approach
- Keep the area dry during showering by covering with a waterproof dressing.
- If the infection doesn't improve within 48-72 hours of treatment, or if there's significant pain, discharge, or skin overgrowth, seek immediate medical attention as the implant may need removal.
- The use of longer length BAHA abutments, such as 8.5mm, may decrease wound complications and revision surgery, as suggested by the study 2.
Prevention
- Standardize peri-operative management and clean the skin regularly to prevent skin complications, as recommended by the study 3.
- Avoidance of infection at the implant site is crucial to the success of BAHA implantation, and the use of appropriate post-operative dressings, such as Acticoat 7 with Allevyn, can help reduce infection rates, as shown in the study 4.