Study on Time Distribution and Pathogenic Bacteria of Infection After Auricular Reconstruction With Tissue Expansion for Microtia.

Background: Postoperative infection is one of the main complications that affect the surgical effect of auricular reconstruction with tissue expansion. Understanding the susceptible time and distribution of pathogens is especially important for the treatment.

Method: The data of patients with infection after auricular reconstruction with tissue expansion from September 1, 2018 to August 30, 2024 were collected retrospectively. The microbe species identification results, diagnosis time of infection, surgical methods, and kinds of pathogenic bacteria were analyzed. Statistical methods were used to analyze and calculate the difference in infection time and the distribution of pathogenic bacteria.

Result: From September 1, 2018 to August 30, 2024, 237 cases of infection after auricle reconstruction with tissue expansion were diagnosed, and 252 strains of 18 kinds of pathogenic bacteria were detected. Among them, S. aureus (85 strains, 33.73%) and S. epidermidis (40 strains, 15.87%) were the 2 main pathogens. Postoperative infection mainly occurred in the first stage (72 cases, 30.38%) and the second stage (98 cases, 41.35%). The MRSA infection rate in the second stage (24.46%) was significantly higher than that in the other stages. The infection rate was significantly higher in winter (from November to January) (P<0.05). There was no significant difference among other seasons (P>0.05).

Conclusion: The main pathogen of infection after ear reconstruction with tissue expansion is Staphylococcus aureus, and winter is the peak period of infection. There are some differences in infection rate and distribution of pathogenic bacteria in different stages of surgery.