Preoperative oral antibiotic prophylaxis reduces Pseudomonas aeruginosa surgical site infections after elective colorectal surgery: a multicenter prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Healthcare-associated infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa are associated with poor outcomes. However, the role of P. aeruginosa in surgical site infections after colorectal surgery has not been evaluated. The aim of this study was to determine the predictive factors and outcomes of surgical site infections caused by P. aeruginosa after colorectal surgery, with special emphasis on the role of preoperative oral antibiotic prophylaxis. METHODS: We conducted an observational, multicenter, prospective cohort study of all patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery at 10 Spanish hospitals (2011-2014). A logistic regression model was used to identify predictive factors for P. aeruginosa surgical site infections. RESULTS: Out of 3701 patients, 669 (18.1%) developed surgical site infections, and 62 (9.3%) of these were due to P. aeruginosa. The following factors were found to differentiate between P. aeruginosa surgical site infections and those caused by other microorganisms: American Society of Anesthesiologists' score III-IV (67.7% vs 45.5%, p = 0.001, odds ratio (OR) 2.5, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.44-4.39), National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance risk index 1-2 (74.2% vs 44.2%, p < 0.001, OR 3.6, 95% CI 2.01-6.56), duration of surgery ≥75thpercentile (61.3% vs 41.4%, p = 0.003, OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.31-3.83) and oral antibiotic prophylaxis (17.7% vs 33.6%, p = 0.01, OR 0.4, 95% CI 0.21-0.83). Patients with P. aeruginosa surgical site infections were administered antibiotic treatment for a longer duration (median 17 days [interquartile range (IQR) 10-24] vs 13d [IQR 8-20], p = 0.015, OR 1.1, 95% CI 1.00-1.12), had a higher treatment failure rate (30.6% vs 20.8%, p = 0.07, OR 1.7, 95% CI 0.96-2.99), and longer hospitalization (median 22 days [IQR 15-42] vs 19d [IQR 12-28], p = 0.02, OR 1.1, 95% CI 1.00-1.17) than those with surgical site infections due to other microorganisms. Independent predictive factors associated with P. aeruginosa surgical site infections were the National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance risk index 1-2 (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.03-5.40) and the use of oral antibiotic prophylaxis (OR 0.4, 95% CI 0.23-0.90). CONCLUSIONS: We observed that surgical site infections due to P. aeruginosa are associated with a higher National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance risk index, poor outcomes, and lack of preoperative oral antibiotic prophylaxis. These findings can aid in establishing specific preventive measures and appropriate empirical antibiotic treatment.

How do we diagnose acute diverticulitis? Results of a national survey about the role of imaging techniques.

INTRODUCTION: The choice of imaging techniques in the diagnosis of acute diverticulitis is controversial. This study aimed to determine radiologists' preferences for different imaging techniques in the management of acute diverticulitis and the extent to which they use the different radiologic techniques for this purpose. METHODS: An online survey was disseminated through the Spanish Society of Abdominal Imaging (Sociedad Española de Diagnóstico por Imagen del Abdomen (SEDIA)) and Twitter. The survey included questions about respondents' working environments, protocolization, personal preferences, and actual practice in the radiological management of acute diverticulitis. RESULTS: A total of 186 responses were obtained, 72% from radiologists working in departments organized by organ/systems. Protocols for managing acute diverticulitis were in force in 48% of departments. Ultrasonography was the initial imaging technique in 47.5%, and 73% of the respondents considered that ultrasonography should be the first-choice technique; however, in practice, ultrasonography was the initial imaging technique in only 24% of departments. Computed tomography was the first imaging technique in 32.8% of departments, and its use was significantly more common outside normal working hours. The most frequently employed classification was the Hinchey classification (75%). Nearly all (96%) respondents expressed a desire for a consensus within the specialty about using the same classification. Hospitals with >500 beds and those organized by organ/systems had higher rates of protocolization, use of classifications, and belief that ultrasonography is the best first-line imaging technique. CONCLUSIONS: The radiologic management of acute diverticulitis varies widely, with differences in the protocols used, radiologists' opinions, and actual clinical practice.

Classification of acute diverticulitis in the left colon with ultrasonography and computed tomography: Value of current severity classification schemes.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The current management of acute diverticulitis of the left colon (ADLC) requires tests with high prognostic value. This paper analyzes the usefulness of ultrasonography (US) in the initial diagnosis of ADLC and the validity of current classifications schemes for ADLC. PATIENTS: This retrospective observational study included patients with ADLC scheduled to undergo US or computed tomography (CT) following a clinical algorithm. According to the imaging findings, ADLC was classified as mild, locally complicated, or complicated. We analyzed the efficacy of US in the initial diagnosis and the reasons why CT was used as the first-line technique. We compared the findings with published classifications schemes for ADLC. RESULTS: A total of 311 patients were diagnosed with acute diverticulitis; 183 had ADLC, classified at imaging as mild in 104, locally complicated in 60, and complicated in 19. The diagnosis was reached by US alone in 98 patients, by CT alone in 77, and by combined US and CT in 8. The main reasons for using CT as the first-line technique were the radiologist's lack of experience in abdominal US and the unavailability of a radiologists on call. Six patients diagnosed by US were reexamined by CT, but the classification changed in only three. None of the published classification schemes included all the imaging findings. CONCLUSIONS: US should be the first-line imaging technique in patients with suspected ADLC. Various laboratory and imaging findings are useful in establishing the prognosis of ADLC. New schemes to classify the severity of ADLC are necessary to ensure optimal clinical decision making.

Interhospital Sepsis Code in Catalonia (Spain): Territorial model for initial care of patients with sepsis. / Código Sepsis Interhospitalario en Catalunya: modelo organizativo territorial para la atención inicial al paciente con sepsis.

Sepsis is a syndromic entity with high prevalence and mortality. The management of sepsis is standardized and exhibits time-dependent efficiency. However, the management of patients with sepsis is complex. The heterogeneity of the forms of presentation can make it difficult to detect and manage such cases, in the same way as differences in training, professional competences or the availability of health resources. The Advisory Commission for Patient Care with Sepsis (CAAPAS), comprising 7 scientific societies, the Emergency Medical System (SEM) and the Catalan Health Service (CatSalut), have developed the Interhospital Sepsis Code (CSI) in Catalonia (Spain). The general objective of the CSI is to increase awareness, promote early detection and facilitate initial care and interhospital coordination to attend septic patients in a homogeneous manner throughout Catalonia.

[Recommendations in the empiric anti-infective agents of intra-abdominal infection]. / Recomendaciones en el tratamiento antibiótico empírico de la infección intraabdominal.

A significant number of patients with abdominal infection develop advanced stages of infection and mortality is still above 20%. Failure is multifactorial and is associated with an increase of bacterial resistance, inappropriate empirical treatment, a higher comorbidity of patients and poor source control of infection. These guidelines discuss each of these problems and propose measures to avoid the failure based on the best current scientific evidence.

Predictive factors for early- and late-onset surgical site infections in patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery. A multicentre, prospective, cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Surgical site infections (SSIs) are the leading cause of healthcare-associated infections in acute care hospitals in Europe. However, the risk factors for the development of early-onset (EO) and late-onset (LO) SSI have not been elucidated. AIM: This study investigated the predictive factors for EO-SSI and LO-SSI in a large cohort of patients undergoing colorectal surgery. METHODS: We prospectively followed-up adult patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery in 10 hospitals (2011-2014). Patients were divided into three groups: EO-SSI, LO-SSI, or no infection (no-SSI). The cut-off defining EO-SSI and LO-SSI was seven days (median time to SSI development). Different predictive factors for EO-SSI and LO-SSI were analysed, comparing each group with the no-SSI patients. FINDINGS: Of 3701 patients, 320 (8.6%) and 349 (9.4%) developed EO-SSI and LO-SSI, respectively. The rest had no-SSI. Patients with EO-SSI were mostly males, had colon surgery and developed organ-space SSI whereas LO-SSI patients frequently received chemotherapy or radiotherapy and had incisional SSI. Male sex (odds ratio (OR): 1.92; P < 0.001), American Society of Anesthesiologists' physical status >2 (OR: 1.51; P = 0.01), administration of mechanical bowel preparation (OR: 0.7; P = 0.03) and stoma creation (OR: 1.95; P < 0.001) predicted EO-SSI whereas rectal surgery (OR: 1.43; P = 0.03), prolonged surgery (OR: 1.4; P = 0.03) and previous chemotherapy (OR: 1.8; P = 0.03) predicted LO-SSI. CONCLUSION: We found distinctive predictive factors for the development of SSI before and after seven days following elective colorectal surgery. These factors could help establish specific preventive measures in each group.

Multistate modelling to estimate excess length of stay and risk of death associated with organ/space infection after elective colorectal surgery.

BACKGROUND: Accounting for time-dependency and competing events are strongly recommended to estimate excess length of stay (LOS) and risk of death associated with healthcare-associated infections. AIM: To assess the effect of organ/space (OS) surgical site infection (SSI) on excess LOS and in-hospital mortality in patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery (ECS). METHODS: A multicentre prospective adult cohort undergoing ECS, January 2012 to December 2014, at 10 Spanish hospitals was used. SSI was considered the time-varying exposure and defined as incisional (superficial and deep) or OS. Discharge alive and death were the study endpoints. The mean excess LOS was estimated using a multistate model which provided a weighted average based on the states patients passed through. Multivariate Cox regression models were used to assess the effect of OS-SSI on risk of discharge alive or in-hospital mortality. FINDINGS: Of 2778 patients, 343 (12.3%) developed SSI: 194 (7%) OS-SSI and 149 (5.3%) incisional SSI. Compared to incisional SSI or no infection, OS-SSI prolonged LOS by 4.2 days (95% confidence interval (CI): 4.1-4.3) and 9 days (8.9-9.1), respectively, reduced the risk of discharge alive (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR): 0.36 (95% CI: 0.28-0.47) and aHR: 0.17 (0.14-0.21), respectively), and increased the risk of in-hospital mortality (aHR: 8.02 (1.03-62.9) and aHR: 10.7 (3.7-30.9), respectively). CONCLUSION: OS-SSI substantially extended LOS and increased risk of death in patients undergoing ECS. These results reinforce OS-SSI as the SSI with the highest health burden in ECS.

Impact of surgical site infection on healthcare costs and patient outcomes: a systematic review in six European countries.

BACKGROUND: Surgical site infections (SSIs) are associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Furthermore, SSIs constitute a financial burden and negatively impact on patient quality of life (QoL). AIM: To assess, and evaluate the evidence for, the cost and health-related QoL (HRQoL) burden of SSIs across various surgical specialties in six European countries. METHODS: Electronic databases and conference proceedings were systematically searched to identify studies reporting the cost and HRQoL burden of SSIs. Studies published post 2005 in France, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, Spain, and the UK were eligible for data extraction. Studies were categorized by surgical specialty, and the primary outcomes were the cost of infection, economic evaluations, and HRQoL. FINDINGS: Twenty-six studies met the eligibility criteria and were included for analysis. There was a paucity of evidence in the countries of interest; however, SSIs were consistently associated with elevated costs, relative to uninfected patients. Several studies reported that SSI patients required prolonged hospitalization, reoperation, readmission, and that SSIs increased mortality rates. Only one study reported QoL evidence, the results of which demonstrated that SSIs reduced HRQoL scores (EQ-5D). Hospitalization reportedly constituted a substantial cost burden, with additional costs arising from medical staff, investigation, and treatment costs. CONCLUSION: Disparate reporting of SSIs makes direct cost comparisons difficult, but this review indicated that SSIs are extremely costly. Thus, rigorous procedures must be implemented to minimize SSIs. More economic and QoL studies are required to make accurate cost estimates and to understand the true burden of SSIs.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in situs inversus totalis: The importance of being left-handed.

Since laparoscopic cholecystectomy has become the standard procedure for the treatment of gallstone disease, several cases have been reported in patients with situs inversus. These cases require more technically demanding procedures due to the symmetrical disposition of the anatomy. Thus, handedness could influence the performance of these operations. The two of us (L.M.O.) and (J.M.B.), a right-handed and a left-handed surgeon, respectively, placed the instruments in reverse mode from that used in orthotopic patients. The right-handed surgeon felt more impairment when dissecting with his left hand and decided to cross the instruments within the abdomen. The left-handed surgeon was able to alternate the performance of the dissection maneuvers between the right and left hands. Surgical procedures are apparently designed for right-handed surgeons and can be approached by the left-handed in alternative ways. In fact, the accommodation of laparoscopic cholecystectomy to left-handedness has been described in the literature. The rare opportunity to operate in a symmetrical way allows the right-handed surgeon to understand the absence of comfort and ergonomy often experienced by left-handed colleagues.

[A randomized prospective study of antibiotic prophylaxis compared to lavage of the surgical wound in nonperforating appendicitis]. / Estudio prospectivo aleatorizado de la profilaxis antibiótica comparada con el lavado de la herida quirúrgica en apendicitis no perforada.

BACKGROUND: There are many doubts as to the efficacy of systemic antibiotic prophylaxis versus the methods of local treatment in the prevention of infection of the contaminated surgical wound. A controlled prospective study was designed to compare the effectiveness of a combination of parenteral antibiotics with lavage with physiologic serum of the surgical wound to prevent infection of the postappendectomy wound. METHODS: The patients in group A (antibiotic, n = 70) received a sole preoperative dose of methronidazol and gentamicin while in those in group I (irrigation, n = 71) the wounds were irrigated with physiologic serum prior to and following closure of aponeurosis. The patients were controlled at one week and one month after the intervention. RESULTS: The global rate of infection was 9.3%. Six patients of group A and five of group I developed wound infection (p = 0.06), The age and length of the intervention were significantly higher in the infected patients (41 vs 23 years, p = 0.0001 and 53 vs 41 minutes, p = 0.03, respectively). Intraperitoneal culture was positive in 70% of the patients who posteriorly developed wound infection, being positive in only 9.4% of the uninfected patients (p = 0.0001). Eight of the infections (73%) were detected following discharge from hospital. The cost of prophylaxis in group A was seven-fold higher than that of group I. CONCLUSIONS: Lavage of the surgical wound with physiologic serum may be an effective, safe and inexpensive method to prevent infection of the wound following appendicectomy for unperforated appendicitis.

Fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma: results of partial liver resection.

AIM: To assess the results of partial hepatic resection in the treatment of fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma. PATIENTS AND RESULTS: We present six cases of Fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma treated by partial hepatic resection. There were five females and one male with a mean age of 20 (2.6) yr. Five patients were stage IVA and 1 IVB based on the Union International Against Cancer Classification. Two patients, due to recurrent disease, needed further pulmonary resection and a hilar lymphadenectomy. All six cases underwent major resection, three with vascular reconstruction. No operative mortality was recorded; half of the patients displayed some degree of morbidity. One patient died six months after the operation and the rest are alive at 78, 41, 24, 12 and 9 months. We believe that even in advanced cases, an aggressive surgical policy even with vascular reconstruction is justified in patients with fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma.

Post-discharge surgical site infections after uncomplicated elective colorectal surgery: impact and risk factors. The experience of the VINCat Program.

BACKGROUND: Surgical site infection (SSI) after colorectal procedures represents a measurable quality indicator of a healthcare system. There is an increasing interest in comparing SSI rates between different hospitals and countries: however, the variability of the data regarding the incidence of SSI makes this comparison difficult. For the purposes of evaluation, data collection must be standardized and must include reliable post-discharge surveillance (PDS). AIM: To determine impact and risk factors for PDS SSI after elective colorectal surgery. METHODS: VINCat is a nosocomial infection surveillance programme in Catalonia, Spain. Between 2007 and 2011, 52 hospitals joined the programme. Hospitals performed active, prospective, standardized surveillance of elective colorectal resection. PDS was implemented by a multimodal approach and was mandatory within the first 30 days after surgery. FINDINGS: During the study period, 13,661 elective colorectal procedures were included. SSI was diagnosed in 2826 (20.7%) patients, of whom 22.5% during PDS; of these, 52% required readmission. Patients with PDS SSI were younger (odds ratio: 1.57; 95% confidence interval: 1.29-1.91), predominantly female (1.40; 1.16-1.69), had more frequently undergone endoscopic procedures (1.56; 1.30-1.88) and had more incisional SSI (1.88; 1.54-2.28) than patients with in-hospital SSI. CONCLUSION: SSI rates in elective colorectal procedures at VINCat hospitals were inside the higher range of those reported by other national programmes. PDS SSI increased the overall rate of SSI, had a significant clinical impact, and accounted for almost a quarter of SSI. Younger age and laparoscopic procedures were the most relevant risk factors. Standardized multimodal PDS should be implemented for hospitals performing surveillance of colorectal surgery.

Idiopathic fibrosing pancreatitis associated with ulcerative colitis.

Idiopathic fibrosing pancreatitis has been associated with Sjögren's syndrome, primary biliary cirrhosis and primary sclerosing cholangitis. This condition frequently develops in childhood and youth, and has also been related to ulcerative colitis and pericholangitis. Pancreatic complications have been rarely described as systemic complications of ulcerative colitis. A 25-year-old man presented with epigastric pain and jaundice. Abdominal ultrasonography, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) revealed a diffuse enlargement of the pancreas, filiform distal stenosis of the common bile duct and intrahepatic bile ducts, and pancreatic duct dilatation. At operation, a rock-hard and nodular pancreas was noted. Cholecystectomy and Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy, with an access loop, was successfully performed. Idiopathic fibrosing pancreatitis should be considered in young patients with obstructive jaundice, especially those affected with chronic inflammatory or autoimmune diseases. Glucocorticoid therapy would be the first-line treatment, although many patients require operation.

Saline wound irrigation reduces the postoperative infection rate in guinea pigs.

Wound irrigation with saline is widely used alone or together with systemic antibiotic prophylaxis to prevent postoperative wound infection. This study was aimed to investigate the effect of saline irrigation upon the bacterial load on wound surfaces and on the wound infection rate in an animal model. In 16 guinea pigs, two wounds were contaminated with Bacteroides fragilis and Escherichia coli. One wound was irrigated with saline, while the other received no prophylaxis. Quantitative wound cultures were performed before and after irrigation. The wound infection rate was determined at 10 days. Saline irrigation reduced the aerobic and anaerobic bacterial counts in wound margins. The infection rate was also reduced (15/16 nonirrigated vs 6/16 irrigated, P < 0.001). High bacterial counts at the end of operation were associated with wound infection (P < 0.001). At skin closure, wounds which later became infected harbored fourfold more bacteria than noninfected wounds [8.7 (6.4- 1 1.0) vs 2.3 (0.8-3.7) colony-forming units x 10(3) of E. coli/cm2; P < 0.005]. Saline wound irrigation diminishes infection rate in experimental animals by means of a significant reduction of the bacterial inoculum present at the time of skin closure.

Perforation of colonic neoplasms. A review of 36 cases.

Colonic perforation is the second most common complication of colonic neoplasms and is associated with an elevated morbidity and mortality. We undertook a two-centre retrospective analysis of 378 colonic neoplasms seen from 1978 to 1985. Thirty-six patients (9.5%) presented with a perforated colonic carcinoma. Two-thirds had a past history suggesting colonic disease while in the remaining one-third, the perforation was the first manifestation of the disease. Resection was carried out initially in 33 cases (21 Hartmann's procedure, 9 primary anastomosis, 2 mucous fistula and 1 abdominoperineal excision). Two patients had a proximal colostomy only and 1 an exploratory laparotomy only because of disseminated disease. Postoperative mortality was 14% (five cases). Actuarial survival rate was 52% at 1 year and 40% at 2 years. Eleven patients are still alive after a mean follow-up of 43 months.

Treatment of 27 postoperative enterocutaneous fistulas with the long half-life somatostatin analogue SMS 201-995.

Twenty-seven patients with postoperative enterocutaneous fistulas were treated with parenteral nutrition and SMS 201-995 (100 micrograms/8 hours, subcutaneously), a long half-life somatostatin analogue. At the time SMS 201-995 was started, 11 patients had low output fistulas (less than 1000 ml/48 hours), 11 patients had high output fistulas (above 1000 ml/48 hours), and 5 patients had fistulas sitting in large abdominal wall defects. Within 24 hours of treatment, a mean reduction of 55% of the fistula output was observed. Fistula site or output before treatment had no influence on the magnitude of output reduction. Spontaneous closure was achieved in 77% of the patients after a mean of 5.8 +/- 2.7 days of treatment with this drug. Two patients died (7.4%). Pain at the injection site was referred by 15% of the patients but no other side effects were observed. Glucose intolerance was not observed. SMS 201-995 has been shown to be very useful in the conservative treatment of enterocutaneous fistulas because of its ability to rapidly reduce fistula output and accelerate spontaneous closure.