Surgical site infection related to use of elastomeric pumps in pectus excavatum repair. Lessons learned from root cause analysis.

BACKGROUND: Pectus excavatum repair (PEX) is among the most painful thoracic procedures performed. Continuous peripheral nerve blockade (CPNB) is known to be efficacious in optimizing pain control while limiting narcotic use in adult thoracic procedures. It was introduced in May 2015 as a bridge to oral pain control in children undergoing PEX. Consequently, the surgical site infection (SSI) rate increased from 2.7% to 27.7%. METHODS: SSI surveillance followed national guidelines. The abrupt increase prompted root cause analysis and cessation of CPNB use. A dynamic systems model of SSI in PEX was developed. Statistical analysis compared SSI outcomes with and without CPNB. RESULTS: From May 2015 to June 2015, 21 PEX were performed; 11 with CPNB. 6 SSIs were observed. Use of CPNB significantly (p=0.008) increased SSI incidence. Haller index, number of bars, usage of Fiberwire®, methicillin resistant S. aureus colonization and length of stay did not differ. Root cause analysis revealed the proximity of CPNB catheters to the wound, the use of CPNB with implanted hardware and a delayed utilization of CPNB catheters to be of concern. CONCLUSION: Introduction of CPNB coincided with a significant increase in SSI. Further study is needed to assess the safety of CPNB in pediatric PEX. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III treatment study.

Comparison of continuous nerve block versus patient-controlled analgesia for postoperative pain and outcome after talar and calcaneal fractures.

BACKGROUND: Talar and calcaneal fractures and their treatment can cause severe postoperative pain. We hypothesized that a continuous peripheral nerve block (CPNB) would reduce pain scores more effectively than systemic analgesics, improve recovery, and lead to reduced length of stay (LOS). METHODS: Over a 3-year period patients undergoing open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of a talar or calcaneal fracture were retrospectively analyzed. Patients received a CPNB catheter preoperatively or intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) postoperatively. Primary endpoint was Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) scores on postoperative day 1. Secondary endpoints were NRS scores up to day 3, opioid requirement, analgesia-related side effects, intraoperative blood loss, infection, and LOS. Eighty-seven patients were analyzed; 70 with calcaneal fracture, 21 with talar fracture, 4 with both. In all, 40 patients received CPNB, 47 patients PCA. RESULTS: Median NRS scores on day 1 were 1.0 (IQR 3) in the CPNB group and 2.0 (IQR 3) in the PCA group (ns). Median LOS for patients with CPNB was 5 days (IQR3) and PCA 4 days (IQR 2 ns). Blood loss and incidence of local infections were comparable in both groups. Opioid requirement was significantly increased in the PCA group (P < .01). CONCLUSION: Significant advantages or disadvantages were not seen in either group. However, the PCA group required about 30-fold more opioids compared to the CPNB group on day 1, although that did not lead to an increased number of side effects. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, retrospective comparative series.