Cost-effectiveness of vancomycin powder for deep wound infection prophylaxis in spine fusion / Relação de custo-efiácia de vancomicina em pó para profilaxia da infecção de ferida profunda na fusão espinhal / Relación de costo-eficacia de la vancomicina en polvo para profilaxis de la infección de herida profunda en la fusión espinal

ABSTRACT Objective: To identify the cost effectiveness of vancomycin powder in the prophylaxis of posterior lumbar spine instrumentation, seeking potential savings. Methods: A retrospective, observational study was performed to evaluate the cost effectiveness. Data were retrieved from patients' files from March 2016 to April 2017; costs were considered for the procedures, as well as which antibiotic was used. Results: A total of 184 patients were included. Of these, 102 received prophylactic treatment with 1g of cephalothin and 82 received 1g of cephalothin and 1g of vancomycin powder, which was applied to the wound prior to tissue closure. Of the 184 patients, 110 were women (59%) and 74 were men (41%), and the mean age was 55 years (24-77). The participants had a median BMI of 28.9 kg/m2 (19-39). The average cost per hospitalized patient was $3974 USD and the average cost of rehospitalization due to infection was, on average, $7700 USD. The use of vancomycin powder led to cost savings of $75,008.79 USD per 100 posterior spinal fusions performed for degenerative spine. Conclusion: The use of vancomycin powder is a cost-effective option for prophylaxis of surgical site infection in spine fusion. Level of evidence III; Economic and decision analysis.

RESUMO Objetivo: Identificar a relação de custo-eficácia da vancomicina em pó como profilaxia da instrumentação posterior da coluna lombar, buscando possíveis economias. Métodos: Foi realizado um estudo retrospectivo e observacional para avaliar a relação custo-eficácia. Os dados foram recuperados dos arquivos dos pacientes de março de 2016 a abril de 2017; foram considerados os custos dos procedimentos, bem como o antibiótico usado. Resultados: Um total de 184 pacientes foi incluído, dos quais 102 receberam tratamento profilático com 1 g de cefalotina e 82 receberam 1 g de cefalotina e 1 g de vancomicina em pó, que foi aplicada na ferida antes do fechamento do tecido. Dos 184 pacientes, 110 eram mulheres (59%) e 74 eram homens (41%), e a média de idade foi de 55 anos (24-77). Os pacientes tinham IMC médio de 28,9 kg m2 (19-39).O custo médio por paciente hospitalizado foi US$ 3.974 e o custo médio de reinternação por infecção foi, em média, US$ 7.700. O uso de vancomicina em pó levou a uma redução de custos de US$ 75.008,79 referentes a 100 fusões que seriam realizadas nos casos de degeneração da coluna. Conclusões: O uso de vancomicina em pó é uma opção de baixo custo para a profilaxia da infecção do sítio cirúrgico na artrodese de coluna. Nível de evidência III; Análise econômica e de decisão.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Identificar la relación de costo-eficacia de la vancomicina en polvo como profilaxis de la instrumentación posterior de la columna lumbar, buscando posibles economías. Métodos: Fue realizado un estudio retrospectivo y observacional para evaluar la relación costo-eficacia. Los datos fueron recuperados de los archivos de los pacientes de marzo de 2016 a abril de 2017; fueron considerados los costos de los procedimientos, bien como el antibiótico usado. Resultados: Fue incluido un total de 184 pacientes, de los cuales 102 recibieron tratamiento profiláctico y 1 g de cefalotina y 82 recibieron 1 g de cefalotina y 1 g de vancomicina en polvo, que fue aplicada en la herida antes del cierre del tejido. De los 184 pacientes, 110 eran mujeres (59%) y 74 eran hombres (41%), y el promedio de edad fue de 55 años (24-77). Los pacientes tenían IMC promedio de 28,9 kg/m2 (19-39). El costo promedio por paciente hospitalizado fue de USD 3.974 y el costo promedio de reinternación por infección fue, en promedio, de USD 7700. El uso de vancomicina en polvo llevó a una reducción de costos de USD 75.008,79 referentes a 100 fusiones que serían realizadas en los casos de degeneración de la columna. Conclusiones: El uso de vancomicina en polvo es una opción de bajo costo para la profilaxis de la infección del sitio quirúrgico en la artrodesis de columna. Nivel de evidencia III; Análisis económico y de decisión.

Persistent Disease Activity Remains a Burden for Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

OBJECTIVE: Persistent systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) disease activity is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. In a multicenter cohort of patients with prevalent SLE, we described persistence, patterns, and predictors of change in disease activity over time. METHODS: Based on SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI)-2K scores at cohort entry, patients were classified into 4 groups: low (score < 4; LOW), moderate (4 to < 6; MOD), moderately high (6 to ≤ 10; MHIGH), and very high (> 10; VHIGH). Multivariable linear and longitudinal mixed linear regression models were used to identify predictors of change over time in SLEDAI-2K. RESULTS: There were 2019 participants, with declining followup data over 5 years (1326, 580, 274, 186, and 148 patients, respectively). At cohort entry, mean (± SD) age was 42 (± 17) years, disease duration 11 (± 10) years, and 90% were female. The 4 groups included 44% LOW (n = 891), 20% MOD (n = 400), 22% MHIGH (n = 442), and 14% VHIGH (n = 286); therefore, 36% had clinically important SLE activity. The proportion of patients in the LOW group at entry who moved to a higher activity level varied from 30% (167/557) at 1 year, to 49% (41/83) at 3 years, and 54% (30/56) at 5 years. Among 181 patients with MOD to VHIGH entry activity and 3 years of followup, 116 (64.1%) remained active. In all analyses, only higher SLEDAI-2K at cohort entry remained a significant predictor of higher SLEDAI-2K in subsequent years. CONCLUSION: Higher SLEDAI-2K at study entry was the single major independent predictor of higher SLEDAI-2K over time, reflecting frequent persistence of active disease, even in patients with longstanding disease. This highlights gaps in the optimal treatment of SLE.

Spinal Gunshot Wounds: Pattern and Associated Lesions in Civilians.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective, descriptive case series study. PURPOSE: To investigate the frequency, bone pattern, and associated lesions to the spine of gunshot wounds. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: Gunshot wounds are penetrating in nature and are caused by a bullet or projectile. These are becoming more common and are associated with significant sequelae, requiring long and costly multidisciplinary treatment. Associated spinal cord injuries (SCIs) in the civilian population represent 13%-17% of all spinal traumas. Spinal gunshot wounds are commonly thought to be stable; however, there is potential acute and chronic spinal instability if the bullet passes transversely, fracturing either both pedicles or both facet joints. METHODS: We obtained data from the clinical files of patients with spinal gunshot wounds treated by spine surgeons. We performed a statistical analysis to obtain the pattern and frequency of the injuries. RESULTS: We included 54 patients (48 men [89%] and six women [11%]). Eight patterns of spinal gunshot wounds were identified; 61% (33 patients) had complete SCI. The thoracic spine was most frequently affected, with 88% of patients having SCI; 75%, hemopneumothorax; 28%, pulmonary lesions; and 16%, hepatic lesions. The presence of pedicle fractures had an odds ratio of 3.64 for SCI. CONCLUSIONS: The two main bone patterns are the vertebral body and posterior arch with pedicle fractures as modifiers, given that they are at a high risk for SCI. The spinal pattern and associated lesions were related to the bullet's path, with the vertebral body having the highest frequency of associated lesions. Vertebral body burst fracture was the main indication for instrumentation.

Intrasite vancomycin powder as a prophylactic adjuvant in lumbar fusion / Vancomicina transtisular en polvo como adyuvante en profilaxis antibiótica en fusión lumbar / Vancomicina em pó no sítio cirúrgico como adjuvante na profilaxia antibiótica de fusão lombar

ABSTRACT Objective: To identify whether the use of prophylactic intrasite vancomycin as an adjuvant is a protective factor against deep tissue infection of the surgical site. Methods: Retrospective, descriptive, case-control study evaluating 210 patients, of whom 70 received intrasite vancomycin (case group) and 140 were controls. It was made a follow up for at least one year, reviewing the physical and electronic records. Data were tabulated in spreadsheets (Excel) including all variables and the statistical analysis was made with Epi InfoTM 7 to calculate the odds ratio. Results: Seven cases of deep infection occurred in the control group and none was found in the case group (odds ratio [95% confidence interval]: 0.1262 [0.007-2.24], P = 0.1585). Among the predisposing factors, diabetes and surgical time were the most relevant. Conclusions: Intrasite use of vancomycin has a protective effect against deep infection in patients undergoing lumbar fusion surgery without presenting considerable side effects.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Identificar si el uso de vancomicina transtisular profiláctica como coadyuvante es un factor protector contra la infección de tejidos profundos del sitio quirúrgico. Métodos: Estudio retrospectivo, de carácter descriptivo, con casos y controles que evaluó 210 pacientes, de los cuales a 70 se les aplicó vancomicina (grupo de casos) y 140 controles. Realizado un seguimiento de al menos un año, revisando el expediente físico y electrónico. Los datos fueron tabulados en hojas de cálculo (Excel) incluyendo todas las variables, y aplicamos el análisis estadístico con Epi InfoTM 7, para calcular la razón de momios. Resultados: Se presentaron 7 casos de infección profunda en el grupo control, ninguno en el grupo de casos (razón de momios [intervalo de confianza del 95%]: 0,1262 [0,007 a 2,24], p = 0,1585). Entre los factores predisponentes encontramos que la diabetes y el tiempo quirúrgico fueron de mayor relevancia. Conclusiones: El uso de vancomicina transtisular ejerce un efecto protector contra la infección profunda en pacientes sometidos a cirugía de fusión lumbar sin presentar efectos colaterales de consideración.

RESUMO Objetivo: Identificar se o uso de vancomicina profilática como adjuvante no sítio cirúrgico é um fator de proteção contra a infecção dos tecidos profundos. Métodos: Estudo retrospectivo, descritivo, de caso-controle, que avaliou 210 pacientes, dos quais 70 receberam vancomicina no sítio cirúrgico (grupo caso) e 140 eram controles. Foi feito o acompanhamento por pelo menos um ano, revendo os registros físicos e eletrônicos. Os dados foram tabulados em planilhas (Excel), incluindo todas as variáveis, e a análise estatística foi realizada com o Epi InfoTM 7 para calcular as razões de probabilidade. Resultados: Foram encontradas 7 ocorrências de infecção profunda no grupo controle e nenhum no grupo de casos (razão de probabilidades [intervalo de confiança de 95%]: 0,1262 [0,007-2,24], P = 0,1585). Entre os fatores predisponentes, o diabetes e o tempo cirúrgico foram os mais relevantes. Conclusões: O uso de vancomicina no sítio cirúrgico exerce efeito protetor contra a infecção profunda em pacientes submetidos à cirurgia de fusão lombar sem apresentar efeitos colaterais importantes.