Multicenter parallel randomized trial evaluating incisional negative pressure wound therapy for the prevention of surgical site infection after lower extremity bypass.

OBJECTIVE: Incisional negative pressure wound therapy (iNPWT) applied over all incisions after lower extremity bypass in the prevention of surgical site infections (SSIs) is unclear. The primary and secondary aims of this study were to investigate if prophylactic iNPWT after the elective lower extremity bypass prevents SSI and other surgical wound complications. METHODS: This was a multicenter, parallel, randomized controlled trial. Patients undergoing elective lower extremity bypass in 3 hospitals were randomized to either iNPWT or standard dressings. SSIs or other wound complications were assessed within the first 90 days by wound care professionals blinded to the randomized result. The validated Additional treatment, Serous discharge, Erythema, Purulent exudate, Separation of deep tissues, Isolation of bacteria, and Stay (ASEPSIS) score was used to objectively assess the wounds. ASEPSIS score ≥21 is defined as an SSI. Unilateral and bilateral groups were analyzed with the Fisher exact test and the McNemar test, respectively. RESULTS: In the unilateral group (n = 100), the incidence of SSI in the iNPWT group was 34.9% (15/43), compared with 40.3% (23/57) in the control group, according to the ASEPSIS score (P = .678). In the bilateral group (n = 7), the SSI rate was 14.3% (1/7) in the iNPWT group compared with 14.3% (1/7) in the control group (P = 1.00). In the unilateral group, there was a higher wound dehiscence rate in the control group (43.9%) compared with the iNPWT group (23.3%) (P = .0366). No serious iNPWT-related adverse events were recorded. CONCLUSIONS: There was no reduction of SSI rates in leg incisions with iNPWT compared with standard dressings in patients undergoing elective lower extremity bypass, whereas iNPWT reduced the incidence of wound dehiscence.

Negative Pressure Wound Therapy for the Prevention of Surgical Site Infections Using Fascia Closure After EVAR-A Randomized Trial.

BACKGROUND: Surgical site infections (SSI) in the groin after vascular surgery are common. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) on SSI incidence when applied on closed inguinal incisions after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). METHODS: A multicenter randomized controlled trial (RCT). Between November 2013 and December 2020, 377 incisions (336 bilateral and 41 unilateral) from elective EVAR procedures with the primary intent of fascia closure were randomized and included, receiving either NPWT or a standard dressing. In bilateral incisions, each incision randomly received the opposite dressing of the other side, thereby becoming each other's control. The primary endpoint was SSI incidence at 90 days postoperatively, analyzed on an intention-to-treat basis. Uni and bilaterally operated incisions were analyzed separately, and their respective p-values combined using Fisher's method for combining P-values. Study protocol (NCT01913132). RESULTS: The SSI incidence at 90 days postoperatively in bilateral incisions was 1.8% (n = 3/168) in the NPWT and 4.8% (n = 8/168) in the standard dressing group, and in unilateral incisions 13.3% (n = 2/15) and 11.5% (n = 3/26), respectively (combined p = 0.49). In all SSIs, bacteria were isolated from incisional wound cultures. No additional SSIs were diagnosed between 90 days and 1 year follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: No evidence of difference in SSI incidence was seen in these low-risk inguinal incisions when comparing NPWT with standard dressings after EVAR with the primary intent of fascia closure. CLINICAL TRIALS: NCT01913132.

Risk Factors for Abdominal Compartment Syndrome After Endovascular Repair for Ruptured Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: A Case Control Study.

OBJECTIVE: Ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms (rAAA) are treated by endovascular aneurysm repair (rEVAR) increasingly often. Despite rEVAR being a minimally invasive method, abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) remains a significant post-operative threat. The aim of this study was to investigate risk factors for ACS after rEVAR, including aortic morphological features. METHODS: The Swedish vascular registry (Swedvasc) was assessed for ACS after rEVAR in the period 2008 - 2015. All patients identified were compared with controls (i.e., patients who did not develop ACS after rEVAR), matched by centre and repair date. Case records were reviewed, and radiology images analysed in a core laboratory. Comparisons were performed with respect to physiological and radiological risk factors. RESULTS: The study population consisted of 40 patients with ACS and 68 controls. Pre-operatively, patients with ACS had a lower blood pressure (BP) than controls (median 70 mmHg vs. 97 mmHg; p < .001). Intra-operatively, they had aortic balloon occlusion more often (55.0% vs. 10.3%; p < .001) and received more transfusions than controls (median nine units of packed red blood cells [pRBC] vs. two units; p < .001). Ninety-seven per cent of those who developed ACS had a pre-operative BP < 70 mmHg, aortic balloon occlusion, or received more than five pRBC unit transfusions. Treatment outside the instructions for use did not differ between patients and controls (57.5% vs. 54.4%; p = .84), and neither did the pre-operative patency of the inferior mesenteric artery (57.1% vs. 63.9%; p = .52) nor the number of visible lumbar arteries on pre-operative imaging (2 vs. 4; p = .014). In multivariable logistic regression, the number of intra-operative transfusions were predictive of ACS (p < .001), while pre-operative hypotension (p = .32) and aortic balloon occlusion (p = .018) were not. CONCLUSION: ACS after rEVAR is mainly associated with physiological factors and is unlikely to develop without the presence of a pre-operative BP < 70 mmHg, the need for an aortic occlusion balloon, or more than five intra-operative pRBC unit transfusions. Treatment outside the IFU or any other morphological factor were not associated with a risk of ACS.

Nationwide Study on Treatment of Mycotic Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms.

OBJECTIVE: Mycotic aortic aneurysms are rare, life threatening, and complex. This nationwide study aimed to assess outcome after repair of mycotic thoracic aortic aneurysms (MTAAs). METHODS: Patients treated in Sweden for MTAAs between 2000 and 2016 were identified in the Swedish vascular registry (2010-16) and local patient registries (2000-09). Primary outcome was survival, and secondary outcomes included surgical strategy, rate of infection related complications (IRC), and re-operations. RESULTS: Fifty-two patients (median age 71 ± 8.1 years; 28 [54%] men, 13 [25%] ruptured) were identified (3.6% of all thoracic aortic aneurysm repairs in Sweden). Aneurysm location was aortic arch (n = 6; 11%), descending aorta (n = 42; 81%), and multiple locations (n = 4; 8%). Twenty-nine (56%) patients had positive cultures; the most prevalent agent was Staphylococcus aureus (n = 16; 31%). Operative techniques included thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR; n = 35 [67%]), fenestrated/branched TEVAR (n = 8; 15%), hybrid repair (n = 7; 14%), and open patch repair (n = 2; 4%). Survival was 92% (95% confidence interval [CI] 88-96) at 30 days, 88% (95% CI 84-93) at three months, 78% (73-84) at one year, and 71% (64-77) at five years. The mean follow up among survivors (> 90 days) was 45 months (range 4-216 months). Antibiotics were administered for a median of 15 weeks (range 0-220 weeks). IRCs occurred in nine patients (17%): sepsis (n = 3), graft infection (n = 3), recurrent mycotic aneurysm (n = 1), aorto-oesophageal/bronchial fistula (n = 2). Six (67%) IRCs were fatal; 80% occurred within the first year. Re-operations were performed in nine patients (17%). CONCLUSIONS: TEVAR was often used as treatment for MTAAs, with acceptable short- and long-term survival when compared with open cohorts in the literature. IRCs are of concern and warrant follow up and long-term antibiotic treatment.

Use of Resuscitative Endovascular Balloon Occlusion of the Aorta in a Multidisciplinary Approach.

The usage of resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta, also known as aortic balloon occlusion, is an emerging method for bleeding control as a bridge to definitive treatment in trauma management. We describe a trauma case where resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta was used as part of the EndoVascular hybrid Trauma and bleeding Management concept to facilitate transient hemorrhage control and thereby to permit damage control surgery. The case is an illustration of the adoption of a multidisciplinary approach.

EndoVascular and Hybrid Trauma Management (EVTM) for Blunt Innominate Artery Injury with Ongoing Extravasation.

Innominate artery (IA) traumatic injuries are rare but life-threatening, with high mortality and morbidity. Open surgical repair is the treatment of choice but is technically demanding. We describe a case of blunt trauma to the IA with ongoing bleeding, treated successfully by combined (hybrid) endovascular and open surgery. The case demonstrates the immediate usage of modern endovascular and surgical tools as part of endovascular and hybrid trauma management.