Prophylactic Oral Antibiotics on Sinonasal Outcomes Following Endoscopic Transsphenoidal Surgery for Pituitary Lesions (POET)

Prophylactic Oral Antibiotics on Sinonasal Outcomes Following Endoscopic Transsphenoidal Surgery for Pituitary Lesions

A Multicenter, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind Study Evaluating the Impact of Prophylactic Oral Antibiotics on Sinonasal Outcomes Following Endoscopic Transsphenoidal Surgery for Pituitary Lesions

To find out whether oral antibiotics given after transsphenoidal endoscopic surgery for pituitary adenoma improves sinus and nasal symptoms, reduces the incidence of infection (sinusitis), and helps mucosal healing in the nasal passages.

Transsphenoidal surgery is the standard of care for most symptomatic pituitary adenomas. Since transsphenoidal surgery exploits the nasal passage to reach the sella turcica and pituitary gland, the technique causes disruption of sinonasal function and temporarily impacts sinonasal quality of life. Disrupted sinonasal function is a primary source of postoperative morbidity following transsphenoidal surgery. Common sinonasal complications include sinusitis, synechiae formation, nasal obstruction and crusting. The development of postoperative sinusitis is specifically associated with decreased sinonasal function after surgery. Because the nasal cavity is a contaminated surgical field, practitioners routinely prescribe a course of oral postoperative antibiotics for 7-14 days (in addition to standard prophylactic perioperative intravenous antibiotics) with the intention of improving nasal functional outcomes. To date, no studies have examined whether the administration of oral antibiotics following transsphenoidal surgery improves sinonasal healing. This question has been studied in a closely-related field, functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS). A meta-analysis of clinical trial data obtained in FESS indicated that current literature does not support the use of oral antibiotics to reduce infection, improve symptoms scores, or improve endoscopic findings. Furthermore, there is the potential for antibiotic-related adverse events including the emergence of bacterial resistance, Clostridium difficile infection, and allergic reactions to the medication. Despite the lack of supporting evidence in FESS, prophylactic antibiotic use for improving sinonasal healing is still common in pituitary surgery. The investigators propose to study whether prophylactic oral antibiotics following transsphenoidal surgery improve sinonasal quality of life, reduce sinusitis incidence, and promote mucosal healing following endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery.

One dose of preoperative intravenous (iv) antibiotic (e.g., cefazolin 1gm, or cefuroxime 1.5gm, or clindamycin 300mg will be administered within 60 minutes of start of surgery. Repeat intraoperative dosing of antibiotics is permitted if length of surgery exceeds recommended dosing interval. IV antibiotic dosing schedules: Cefazolin 1 gm iv Q6 hr -or- Cefuroxime 1.5gm iv Q8 hr -or- Clindamycin 300 mg iv Q12 hr. Postoperative antibiotics: Study participants will receive one dose only of postoperative intravenous antibiotic (e.g., cefazolin 1gm, or cefuroxime 1.5gm, or clindamycin 300mg [cephalosporin allergic patients]) according to the recommended dosing schedule described above. This dose of antibiotics is in addition to the preoperative dose. Placebo PO BID (twice daily) will commence on the morning of postoperative day 1 and continue for 7 days.

One dose of preoperative iv antibiotic (cefazolin 1gm, or cefuroxime 1.5gm, or clindamycin 300mg) will be administered within 60 minutes of start of surgery. Repeat intraoperative dosing of antibiotics is permitted if length of surgery exceeds recommended dosing interval. IV antibiotic dosing schedules: Cefazolin 1 gm iv Q6 hr -or- Cefuroxime 1.5gm iv Q8 hr -or- Clindamycin 300 mg iv Q12 hr. Participants will receive 1 dose only of postoperative iv antibiotic (cefazolin 1gm, or cefuroxime 1.5gm, or clindamycin 300mg [cephalosporin allergic patients]) according to the recommended dosing schedule described above. This dose of antibiotics is in addition to the preoperative dose. Oral antibiotics will commence on the morning of postoperative day 1; this group will receive oral antibiotics (cefdinir [Omnicef®] 300 mg PO BID or trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole [Bactrim DS™] PO BID for cephalosporin intolerant patients) for 7 days.

PO BID placebo for 7 days. Postoperative days 1 through 7: patients will administer saline spray (e.g., Ocean nasal spray) to both nostrils four times daily. Postoperative days 8 through 30: patients will begin twice daily sinus irrigation rinse (e.g., Neti-pot) until day 30. After day 30, patients will perform sinus irrigation as needed. If a patient is unable to tolerate nasal rinses, saline spray can be used as an alternative.

Oral antibiotics (cefdinir [Omnicef®] 300 mg PO BID or trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole [Bactrim DS™] PO BID for cephalosporin intolerant patients) for 7 days.Postoperative days 1 through 7: patients will administer saline spray (e.g., Ocean nasal spray) to both nostrils four times daily. Postoperative days 8 through 30: patients will begin twice daily sinus irrigation rinse (e.g., Neti-pot) until day 30. After day 30, patients will perform sinus irrigation as needed. If a patient is unable to tolerate nasal rinses, saline spray can be used as an alternative.

Completed by subject in clinic or by phone interview. Assesses urge to blow nose; post-nasal discharge; thick nasal discharge; headaches; nose makes whistling sound; nasal crusting; trouble breathing through nose during day; trouble breathing through nose during night; not breathing equally in both nostrils; sense of smell; sense of taste; and, overall functioning of nose.Rating choices include no problem 0; very minor problem 1; minor problem 2; moderate problem 3; moderately severe problem 4; and, severe problem 5. Subject also selects the 5 symptoms/items listed that impact life the most.

Completed by subject in clinic or by phone interview. Assesses need to blow nose; nasal blockage; sneezing; runny nose; cough; post-nasal discharge; thick nasal discharge; ear fullness; dizziness; ear pain; facial pain/pressure; decreased sense of smell/taste; difficulty falling asleep; waking up at night; lack of a good night's sleep; wake up tired; fatigue; reduced productivity; reduced concentration; frustrated/restless/irritable; sad; and, embarrassed. Rating choices include no problem 0; very mild problem 1; mild or slight problem 2; moderate problem 3; severe problem 4; problem as bad as it can be 5. Subject also selects the 5 symptoms/items listed that impact life the most.

Incidence includes 3 or more of: i. Nasal congestion by patient report or physical exam, ii. Purulent nasal discharge by patient report or physical exam, iii. Facial pressure or pain or headache by patient report, iv. Antibiotics prescribed by a provider for the purpose of treating sinusitis.

Changes in endoscopic appearances using Postoperative Debridement Scoring Sheet (modified Lund-Kennedy score)

Postoperative nasal endoscopy findings graded by surgeon. Grading includes Polyps = none 0; middle meatus 1; beyond middle meatus 2. Discharge = none 0; clear and thin 1; thick and purulent 2. Edema = none 0; mild 1; moderate 2; severe 3. Scarring = none 0; mild 1; moderate 2; severe 3. Crusting = none 0; mild 1; moderate 2; severe 3.

Inclusion Criteria: Adult patient undergoing endoscopic surgery for resection of pituitary tumors for nonfunctioning adenoma, acromegaly, or prolactinoma Adults >18 and <85 years of age English speaking and able to understand the ASK Nasal-12 and SNOT-22 scales Free of any physical, mental, or medical condition which, in the opinion of the investigator, makes study participation inadvisable Exclusion Criteria: Anaphylaxis/intolerance to the study drugs Cirrhosis, hepatitis Any solid organ transplant or bone marrow transplant. And any patient felt to be immunocompromised by the investigators Renal failure on dialysis Any subject who is unwilling or unable to sign informed consent for the study Pregnancy Incarcerated patients Cushing's disease Rathke's Cleft cyst or pituitary cyst History of chronic sinusitis Anticipated use of nasal splints Anticipated use of nasal septal flap Active sinusitis Nasal polyps Previous sinus surgery Concurrent antibiotics for another indication (i.e., urinary tract infection) Immunodeficiency