Managing early complications in total hip arthroplasty: the safety of immediate revision.

PURPOSE: Immediate revision refers to a reoperation that involves resetting, draping, and exchanging the implant, after wound closure in total hip arthroplasty. The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of immediate revision after total hip arthroplasty on subsequent infection and complication rates. METHODS: A total of 14,076 primary total hip arthroplasties performed between 2010 and 2020 were identified in our institutional database, of which 42 underwent immediate revision. Infection rates were determined 2 years after the index arthroplasty. The cause and type of revision, duration of primary and revision surgeries, National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance score, implant type, changes in implants, complications, and preoperative and intraoperative antibiotic prophylaxis were all determined. RESULTS: No infections were observed within 2 years after the index arthroplasty. Leg length discrepancy (88%, n = 37) and dislocation (7.1%, n = 3) were the main causes of immediate revision. In most cases of discrepancy, the limb was clinically and radiologically longer before the immediate revision. The mean operative time was 48 ± 14 min for the primary procedure and 23.6 ± 9 min for the revision. The time between the first incision and last skin closure ranged from 1 to 3 h. None of the patients were extubated between the two procedures. Two patients had a National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance score of 2, 13 had a score of 1, and 27 had a score of 0. CONCLUSION: Immediate revision is safe for correcting clinical and radiological abnormalities, and may not be associated with increased complication or infection rates. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study; level of evidence, 3.

Quality indicators for evaluating the 30-day postoperative outcome in pediatric brain tumor surgery: a 10-year single-center study and systematic review of the literature.

OBJECTIVE: Surgery is the cornerstone in the management of pediatric brain tumors. To provide safe and effective health services, quantifying and evaluating quality of care are important. To do this, there is a need for universal measures in the form of indicators reflecting quality of the delivered care. The objective of this study was to analyze currently applied quality indicators in pediatric brain tumor surgery and identify factors associated with poor outcome at a tertiary neurosurgical referral center in western Norway. METHODS: All patients younger than 18 years of age who underwent surgery for an intracranial tumor at the Department of Neurosurgery at Haukeland University Hospital in Bergen, Norway, between 2009 and 2020 were included. The primary outcomes of interest were classic quality indicators: 30-day readmission, 30-day reoperation, 30-day mortality, 30-day nosocomial infection, and 30-day surgical site infection (SSI) rates; and length of stay. The secondary aim was the identification of risk factors related to unfavorable outcome. The authors also conducted a systematic literature review. Articles concerning pediatric brain tumor surgery reporting at least two quality indicators were of interest. RESULTS: The authors included 82 patients aged 0-17 years. The 30-day outcomes for unplanned reoperation, unplanned remission, mortality, nosocomial infection, and SSI were 9.8%, 14.6%, 0%, 6.1%, and 3.7%, respectively. Unplanned reoperation was associated with eloquent localization (p = 0.009), primary emergency surgery (p = 0.003), and CSF diversion procedures (p = 0.002). Greater tumor volume was associated with unplanned readmission (p = 0.008), nosocomial infection (p = 0.004), and CSF leakage (p = 0.005). In the systematic review, after full-text screening, 16 articles were included and provided outcome data for 1856 procedures. Overall, the 30-day mortality rate was low, varying from 0% to 9.3%. The 30-day reoperation rate varied from 1.5% to 12%. The SSI rate ranged between 0% and 3.9%, and 0% to 17.4% of patients developed CSF leakage. Four studies reported infratentorial tumor location as a risk factor for postoperative CSF leakage. CONCLUSIONS: The 30-day outcomes in the authors' department were comparable to published outcomes. The most relevant factors related to unfavorable outcomes are tumor volume and location, both of which are not modifiable by the surgeon. This highlights the importance of risk adjustment. This evaluation of quality indicators reveals concerns related to the unclear and nonstandardized definitions of outcomes. Standardized outcome definitions and documentation in a large and multicentric database are needed in the future for further evaluation of quality indicators.

Outcome of community- versus hospital-acquired intra-abdominal infections in intensive care unit: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: To compare patients hospitalised in the intensive care unit (ICU) after surgery for community-acquired intra-abdominal infection (CA-IAI) and hospital-acquired intra-abdominal infection (HA-IAI) in terms of mortality, severity and complications. METHODS: Retrospective study including all patients admitted to 2 ICUs within 48 h of undergoing surgery for peritonitis. RESULTS: Two hundred twenty-six patients were enrolled during the study period. Patients with CA-IAI had an increased 28-day mortality rate compared to those with HA-IAI (30% vs 15%, respectively (p = 0.009)). At 90 days, the mortality rates were 36.7 and 37.5% in the CA-IAI group and HA-IAI group, respectively, with a similar APACHE II score on admission (median: 21 [15-25] vs. 21 [15-24] respectively, p = 0.63). The patients with HA-IAI had prolonged ICU and hospital stays (median: 17 [7-36] vs. 6[3-12] days, p < 0.001 and 41 [24-66] vs. 17 [7-32] days, p = 0.001), and experienced more complications (reoperation and reintubation) than those with CA-IAI. CONCLUSION: CA-IAI group had higher 28-day mortality rate than HA-IAI group. Mortality was similar at 90 days but those with HA-IAI had a prolonged ICU and hospital stay. In addition, they developed more complications.

Nosocomial Infections among Patients with Intracranial Hemorrhage: A Retrospective Data Analysis of Predictors and Outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: Intracranial hemorrhage is a critical medical emergency. Nosocomial infections may promote worse outcomes in these vulnerable patients. This study investigated microbial features, predictors, and clinical outcomes of nosocomial infections among patients with multiple subtypes of intracranial hemorrhage. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients that were hospitalized with intracranial hemorrhage between January 2015 and October 2018, and divided them into two groups based on the development of nosocomial infection. Within the cohort of patients with nosocomial infections, microbiology and resistance patterns were established across multiple sites of infection. Moreover, consequences of nosocomial infection such as mortality and length of hospital stay were determined. RESULTS: A total of 233 cases were identified that met our inclusion and exclusion criteria out of which were 94 cases of nosocomial infection (40.3%) versus 139 cases with no nosocomial infection (59.7%). The most common infections were pneumonia, urinary tract infections, and bacteremia. Resistance accounted for 70.2% of cultures. Multivariable analysis revealed significant association of nosocomial infections with hypertension (OR: 2.62, 95% CI: 1.11-6.16, p = 0.027), hospital LOS (OR: 1.08, 95% CI: 1.05-1.12, p < 0.001), levetiracetam (OR: 3.6, 95% CI: 1.41-0.922, p = 0.007), and GCS category (OR: 5.42, 95% CI: 1.67-17.55, p = 0.005 and OR: 7.63, 95% CI: 2.44-23.87, p < 0.001 for moderate and severe, respectively). Patients with nosocomial infections witnessed a significant increase in the length of hospital stay (23 versus 8 hospital days, p < 0.001). This finding was significant across most types of brain hemorrhage. Mortality was significantly associated with GCS category (OR: 10.1, 95% CI: 4-25.7, p < 0.001) and percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube insertion (OR: 19.6, 95% CI: 4.1-91, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Collectively, these findings suggest that nosocomial infections are common among patients with intracranial hemorrhage and can be predictable by considering certain risk factors. Future studies are warranted to evaluate the efficacy of implementing infection control strategies or protocols on these patients to achieve better therapeutic outcomes.

Multidrug-resistant Gram-negative osteomyelitis: a 10-year study.

AIM: Few series of osteomyelitis due to multi-drug (MDR) or extensively-drug resistant (XDR) gram-negative bacteria exist. A retrospective study of MDR and XDR gram-negative osteomyelitis cases was performed, aiming to investigate causative organisms, proper surgical and medical management, as well as outcome. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All patients, treated at the University hospital of Crete between 2007 and 2016 for acute osteomyelitis, due to MDR or XDR gram-negative pathogens were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 14 patients (8 males) were identified with a mean age of 50.6 years. Five Acinetobacter baumanii cases, 3 XDR and 2 MDR, were found. Furthermore, 3 MDR Klebsiella pneumoniae and 3 MDR Enterobacter cloacae isolates were identified. Additionally, 2 MDR Escherichia coli, as well as 2 Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 1 XDR and 1 MDR, were isolated. One case of Roseomonas gilardii was also identified. In 5 cases the same pathogen was also isolated from blood. Five out of the 14 patients were smokers, 6 were suffering severe injury, 4 had diabetes-mellitus, 2 chronic renal disease and 2 were obese. Most causative organisms had hospital origin. All patients received first line empirical combination antimicrobial treatment, proven effective in 4. Thirteen patients were also subjected to surgical treatment. The study included mainly young individuals, most likely due to the high incidence of traffic accidents involving young adults in Crete. CONCLUSIONS: Antimicrobial regimens are important supplements to surgical treatment of acute osteomyelitis. However, due to emergence of resistant microorganisms, compliance with strict rules of antimicrobial strategy is of utmost importance.

Subdural Empyema in the Setting of Multimodal Intracranial Monitoring.

BACKGROUND: Multimodal intracranial monitoring is becoming an increasingly common tool in the management of patients with traumatic brain injury. Although numerous reports detailing the benefits of such advanced monitoring exist in the literature, there is minimal discussion of the possible complications that may arise in this patient population. CASE DESCRIPTION: We report the case of a 32-year-old patient who had been assaulted and presented initially at an outside facility with a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 8. After transfer to our hospital, his Glasgow Coma Scale score was noted at 7T and multimodal monitoring with the Integra Licox brain tissue oxygen monitor and the Hemedex Bowman perfusion monitor was implemented, along with an external ventricular drain when a standard intracranial pressure monitor indicated increasing intracranial pressure. The patient's intracranial pressure normalized but he did require a course of antibiotics during this time for a fever and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. The patient subsequently developed multifocal subdural empyemas requiring surgical evacuation. Postoperatively, the patient's intraoperative cultures remained without bacterial growth, likely related to the 2-week broad-spectrum antibiotic use. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is the first reported incidence of a subdural empyema developing in this setting. Although the safety profile of multimodal intracranial modeling is excellent, with increasing numbers of invasive bedside procedures, neurosurgeons must remain acutely vigilant for the development of infectious complications.

[Microbiological and resistance profiles of community acquired and nosocomial intra abdominal infections in surgery of National Hospital Guillermo Almenara, Lima, Peru]. / Perfil microbiológico de las infecciones intra abdominales en el Servicio de Cirugía de Emergencia del Hospital Nacional Guillermo Almenara Irigoyen, Lima, Perú.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the microbiological and resistance profiles of community acquired and nosocomial intra abdominal infections (IAIs) at the Surgery Service of Emergency and surgery critical care units from the Hospital Nacional Guillermo Almenara Irigoyen. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From August 1st, 2013 till July 31st, 2014, patients undergoing surgery/interventional drainage for IAIs were included. RESULTS: The suitable cultures for the analysis were 169 (74 bile and 95 no bile cultures; 142 community acquired and 27 nosocomials). The microorganims more frequently isolated were E. coli (63.3%), K. pneumoniae (12%) and Enterococcus spp. (10%). The 43.5% of E. coli and the 21.23% of Klebsiella were ESBL producers. The carbapenems were the most active agents in vitro (100%), while the quinolones showed high resistance (>50%). CONCLUSIONS: E. coli was the most common microorganism in the IAIs. Because of the quinolone’s high â€Å“in vitro” resistance, they should not be recommended as initial empirical therapy.

Surgical Optimization of Motor Recovery in Face Transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Face transplantation (FT) has emerged as a viable option for treating devastating facial injuries. Most reported outcomes have demonstrated satisfactory motor and sensory restoration despite differences in technique. The authors have developed an algorithm of facial nerve management in these challenging patients. Our principles of management are illustrated by 2 specific patients. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data on 2 full face transplants was performed. Both patients required nerve grafting during full FT. Patient 1 due to short donor facial nerve stumps and patient 2 due to intraoperative soft tissue swelling. Patient 2 required a nerve transfer 11 months after full FT due to impaired motor recovery opposite the side of nerve grafting. Follow-up examinations consisting of manual muscle testing and Sunnybrook Facial Grading System 6 to 42 months after full FT with selected video examinations were critically reviewed. RESULTS: Patient 1 had symmetrical motor recovery with gradual improvements noted throughout. At 6 months, Patient 2 had asymmetrically improving motor function. After nerve transfer, the patient showed gradual improvement in motor recovery, symmetry, and tone. Videos for each patient demonstrate the evolution of the patients' ability to smile from 6 to 42 months. DISCUSSION: The authors describe their assessment of motor recovery and management of facial nerve reconstruction as it pertains to FT. Finally, the authors illustrate the principles of nerve transfer are applicable to FT recipients.

Hospital costs associated with nosocomial infections in a pediatric intensive care unit.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the additional cost attributable to nosocomial infection (NI) in a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) and related factors. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was conducted in all children admitted to the PICU of a tertiary-care pediatric hospital between 2008 and 2009. Descriptive and bivariate analyses were conducted of total direct costs due to PICU stay and medical procedures in patients with and without NI. A log-linear regression model was performed to determine the factors associated with higher total cost. RESULTS: A total of 443 patients were studied and the prevalence of NI was 11.3%. The difference in the median total cost was €30,791.4 per patient between groups with and without NI. The median cost of PICU length of stay in patients with NI was almost eight times higher than the median cost of patients without NI. In patients with NI, the highest costs related to medical procedures were associated with antibiotics, enteral and parenteral feeding, and imaging tests. In the multivariate model, the factors associated with higher cost were infection, the performance of cardiovascular surgery, urgent admission, a higher pediatric risk mortality score, and the presence of immunosuppression. By contrast, older children and those with surgical admission generated lower cost. CONCLUSIONS: NI was associated with an increase in total cost, which implies that the prevention of these infections through specific interventions could be cost-effective and would help to increase the safety of healthcare systems.

Fungal necrotizing fasciitis, an emerging infectious disease caused by Apophysomyces (Mucorales).

BACKGROUND: The mucoralean fungi are emerging causative agents of primary cutaneous infections presenting in the form of necrotizing fasciitis. AIMS: The aim of this study was to investigate a series of suspected necrotizing fasciitis cases by Apophysomyces species over one-year period in a northern Indian hospital. METHODS: The clinical details of those patients suspected to suffer from fungal necrotizing fasciitis were recorded. Skin biopsies from local wounds were microscopically examined and fungal culturing was carried out on standard media. The histopathology was evaluated using conventional methods and special stains. Apophysomyces isolates were identified by their morphology and by molecular sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the ribosomal genes. Antifungal susceptibility testing was carried out following EUCAST guidelines and treatment progress was monitored. RESULTS: Seven patients were found to be suffering from necrotizing fasciitis caused by Apophysomyces spp. Six isolates were identified as Apophysomyces variabilis and one as Apophysomyces elegans. Five patients had previously received intramuscular injections in the affected area. Three patients recovered, two died and the other two left treatment against medical advice and are presumed to have died due to their terminal illnesses. Posaconazole and terbinafine were found to be the most active compounds against A. variabilis, while the isolate of A. elegans was resistant to all antifungals tested. CONCLUSIONS: Apophysomyces is confirmed as an aggressive fungus able to cause fatal infections. All clinicians, microbiologists and pathologists need to be aware of these emerging mycoses as well as of the risks involved in medical practices, which may provoke serious fungal infections such as those produced by Apophysomyces.

Fatores relacionados à adesão às recomendações para administração de redose em cirurgias limpas / Factors related to adherence of recommendations for redose administration in clean surgeries / Factores relacionados a la adhesión a recomendaciones de administración de redosis en cirugías limpias

A ISC é um dos principais eventos adversos entre pacientes cirúrgicos e é responsável por 20% das IRAS. A antibioticoprofilaxia cirúrgica é uma das práticas para prevenção de ISC, entretanto a adesão às diretrizes é baixa. Foi realizado um estudo observacional, transversal, retrospectivo que investigou o índice de adesão à redose e sua relação com características dos procedimentos e dos indivíduos. Foram avaliados 748 prontuários de cirurgias cardíacas, ortopédicas e neurológicas. Destes, 90 tinham indicação de redose, administrada em 26,6% das cirurgias. A adesão foi significativamente maior nas cirurgias cardíacas (34,3%) e de maior IRIC. Concluiu-se que a adesão às diretrizes para administração de redose é baixa e é necessário atuar na melhoraria do processo de uso de antibioticoprofilaxia cirúrgica. O uso de tecnologias aliado a conscientização, motivação das equipes e envolvimento da enfermagem podem ser alternativas.

Surgical site infections (SSIs) are one of the main adverse events among surgical patients, being responsible for 20% of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). Surgical antibiotic prophylaxis is one of the practices used to prevent SSIs, however, compliance with recommendations is low. A retrospective observational cross-sectional study investigated the index of compliance with redose and its relationship to characteristics of the procedures and individuals. A total of 748 records of cardiac, orthopedic and neurological surgeries were assessed. Of these, 90 had an indication of redose, which was administered in 26.6% of the surgeries. Compliance was significantly higher in cardiac surgeries (34.3%) and those of greater SSI risk index. In conclusion, compliance with recommendations for redose administration is low and improving the process of surgical antibiotic prophylaxis use is needed. The use of technologies in association with awareness, motivation of the teams and involvement of the nursing staff may constitute alternatives.

La ISC es uno de los principales efectos adversos entre pacientes quirúrgicos, responsable del 20% de las IRAs. La profilaxis antibiótica quirúrgica es una de las prácticas para la prevención de ISC, aunque con baja adhesión a sus directivas. Fue realizado un estudio observacional, transversal, retrospectivo, investigando el índice de adhesión a la redosis y su relación con características de procedimientos e individuos. Fueron evaluadas 748 historias clínicas de cirugías cardíacas, ortopédicas y neurológicas. De ellas, 90 tenían indicación de redosis, administrada en 26,6% de las cirugías. La adhesión fue significativamente mayor en las cirugías cardíacas (34,3%) y de mayor IRIC. Se concluyó en que la adhesión a las directivas para administración de redosis es baja, siendo necesario mejorar el proceso de profilaxis antibiótica quirúrgica. El uso de tecnologías en alianza con la concientización, motivación de los equipos y el involucramiento de la enfermería son también alternativas

Association between surgical indications, operative risk, and clinical outcome in infective endocarditis: a prospective study from the International Collaboration on Endocarditis.

BACKGROUND: Use of surgery for the treatment of infective endocarditis (IE) as related to surgical indications and operative risk for mortality has not been well defined. METHODS AND RESULTS: The International Collaboration on Endocarditis-PLUS (ICE-PLUS) is a prospective cohort of consecutively enrolled patients with definite IE from 29 centers in 16 countries. We included patients from ICE-PLUS with definite left-sided, non-cardiac device-related IE who were enrolled between September 1, 2008, and December 31, 2012. A total of 1296 patients with left-sided IE were included. Surgical treatment was performed in 57% of the overall cohort and in 76% of patients with a surgical indication. Reasons for nonsurgical treatment included poor prognosis (33.7%), hemodynamic instability (19.8%), death before surgery (23.3%), stroke (22.7%), and sepsis (21%). Among patients with a surgical indication, surgical treatment was independently associated with the presence of severe aortic regurgitation, abscess, embolization before surgical treatment, and transfer from an outside hospital. Variables associated with nonsurgical treatment were a history of moderate/severe liver disease, stroke before surgical decision, and Staphyloccus aureus etiology. The integration of surgical indication, Society of Thoracic Surgeons IE score, and use of surgery was associated with 6-month survival in IE. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical decision making in IE is largely consistent with established guidelines, although nearly one quarter of patients with surgical indications do not undergo surgery. Operative risk assessment by Society of Thoracic Surgeons IE score provides prognostic information for survival beyond the operative period. S aureus IE was significantly associated with nonsurgical management.

Healthcare-associated infective endocarditis: a case series in a referral hospital from 2006 to 2011.

BACKGROUND: Healthcare-associated infective endocarditis (HCA-IE), a severe complication of medical care, shows a growing incidence in literature. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate epidemiology, etiology, risk factors for acquisition, complications, surgical treatment, and outcome of HCA-IE. METHODS: Observational prospective case series study (2006-2011) in a public hospital in Rio de Janeiro. RESULTS: Fifty-three patients with HCA-IE from a total of 151 cases of infective endocarditis (IE) were included. There were 26 (49%) males (mean age of 47 ± 18.7 years), 27 (51%) females (mean age of 42 ± 20.1 years). IE was acute in 37 (70%) cases and subacute in 16 (30%) cases. The mitral valve was affected in 19 (36%) patients and the aortic valve in 12 (36%); prosthetic valves were affected in 23 (43%) patients and native valves in 30 (57%). Deep intravenous access was used in 43 (81%) cases. Negative blood cultures were observed in 11 (21%) patients, Enterococcus faecalis in 10 (19%), Staphylococcus aureus in 9 (17%), and Candida sp. in 7 (13%). Fever was present in 49 (92%) patients, splenomegaly in 12 (23%), new regurgitation murmur in 31 (58%), and elevated C-reactive protein in 44/53 (83%). Echocardiograms showed major criteria in 46 (87%) patients, and 34 (64%) patients were submitted to cardiac surgery. Overall mortality was 17/53 (32%). CONCLUSION: In Brazil HCA-IE affected young subjects. Patients with prosthetic and native valves were affected in a similar proportion, and non-cardiac surgery was an infrequent predisposing factor, whereas intravenous access was a common one. S. aureus was significantly frequent in native valve HCA-IE, and overall mortality was high.

Healthcare-Associated Infective Endocarditis: a Case Series in a Referral Hospital from 2006 to 2011 / Endocardite Infecciosa Associada aos Cuidados de Saúde: Série de Casos em Hospital de Referência entre 2006 e 2011

Background: Healthcare-associated infective endocarditis (HCA-IE), a severe complication of medical care, shows a growing incidence in literature. Objective: To evaluate epidemiology, etiology, risk factors for acquisition, complications, surgical treatment, and outcome of HCA-IE. Methods: Observational prospective case series study (2006-2011) in a public hospital in Rio de Janeiro. Results: Fifty-three patients with HCA-IE from a total of 151 cases of infective endocarditis (IE) were included. There were 26 (49%) males (mean age of 47 ± 18.7 years), 27 (51%) females (mean age of 42 ± 20.1 years). IE was acute in 37 (70%) cases and subacute in 16 (30%) cases. The mitral valve was affected in 19 (36%) patients and the aortic valve in 12 (36%); prosthetic valves were affected in 23 (43%) patients and native valves in 30 (57%). Deep intravenous access was used in 43 (81%) cases. Negative blood cultures were observed in 11 (21%) patients, Enterococcus faecalis in 10 (19%), Staphylococcus aureus in 9 (17%), and Candida sp. in 7 (13%). Fever was present in 49 (92%) patients, splenomegaly in 12 (23%), new regurgitation murmur in 31 (58%), and elevated C-reactive protein in 44/53 (83%). Echocardiograms showed major criteria in 46 (87%) patients, and 34 (64%) patients were submitted to cardiac surgery. Overall mortality was 17/53 (32%). Conclusion: In Brazil HCA-IE affected young subjects. Patients with prosthetic and native valves were affected in a similar proportion, and non-cardiac surgery was an infrequent predisposing factor, whereas intravenous access was a common one. S. aureus was significantly frequent in native valve HCA-IE, and overall mortality was high. .

Fundamento: A endocardite infecciosa associada aos cuidados de saúde (EI-ACS) é uma complicação grave associada aos cuidados médico-hospitalares, com uma incidência crescente na população. Objetivo: Avaliar a EI-ACS com relação à sua epidemiologia, etiologia, fatores de risco de aquisição, complicações, tratamento cirúrgico e quadro clínico. Métodos: Este estudo de caráter observacional e prospectivo avaliou uma série de casos reportados entre 2006 e 2011 em um hospital público no Rio de Janeiro. Resultados: Cinquenta e três pacientes com EI-ACS de um total de 151 casos de endocardite infecciosa (EI) foram incluídos no estudo, dos quais 26 (49%) eram do sexo masculino (idade média de 47 ± 18,7 anos), e 27 (51%) eram sexo feminino (idade média de 42 ± 20,1 anos). Quadros clínicos agudos de EI ocorreram em 37 casos (70%) e quadros subagudos em 16 casos (30%). A válvula mitral foi afetada em 19 casos (36%), e a valva aórtica em 12 casos (36%). As válvulas cardíacas protéticas foram afetadas em 23 casos (43%), e as válvulas cardíacas nativas em 30 casos (57%). O acesso venoso profundo foi usado em 43 pacientes (81%). Hemoculturas negativas foram observadas em amostras de 11 pacientes (21%). Nas hemoculturas positivas, Enterococcus faecalis foi identificado em 10 casos (19%), Staphylococcus aureus em 9 casos (17%) e Candida sp. em 7 casos (13%). Febre ocorreu em 49 pacientes (92%), esplenomegalia em 12 pacientes (23%), novo sopro de regurgitação valvar em 31 pacientes (58%) e proteína C reativa elevada em 44 pacientes (83%). O ecocardiograma apresentou critérios principais em 46 casos (87%). Trinta e quatro pacientes (64%) foram submetidos à cirurgia cardíaca. A mortalidade ocorreu em 17 casos (32%). Conclusão: EI-ACS afeta ...

Clostridium difficile infection: clinical challenges and management strategies.

Clostridium difficile has become the leading cause of nosocomial diarrhea in adults. A substantial increase has occurred in morbidity and mortality associated with disease caused by C difficile and in the identification of new hypervirulent strains, warranting a high clinical index of suspicion for infections due to this organism. Prevention of infection requires a multidisciplinary approach, including early recognition of disease, effective contact isolation precautions, adherence to disinfectant policies, and judicious use of antibiotics. Current treatment approaches are based on the severity of illness. As hypervirulent strains evolve, unsuccessful treatments are more common. Complicated colitis caused by C difficile may benefit from surgical intervention. Subtotal colectomy and end ileostomy have been the procedures of choice, but are associated with a high mortality rate because of late surgical consultation and use of surgery as a salvage therapy. A promising surgical alternative is creation of a diverting loop ileostomy with colonic lavage.

Timing and type of surgical treatment of Clostridium difficile-associated disease: a practice management guideline from the Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma.

BACKGROUND: Clostridium difficile infection is the leading cause of nosocomial diarrhea in the United States; however, few patients will develop fulminant C. difficile-associated disease (CDAD), necessitating an urgent operative intervention. Mortality for patients who require operative intervention is very high, up to 80% in some series. Since there is no consensus in the literature regarding the best operative treatment for this disease, we sought to answer the following:PICO [population, intervention, comparison, and outcome] Question 1: In adult patients with CDAD, does early surgery compared with late surgery, as defined by the need for vasopressors, decrease mortality?PICO Question 2: In adult patients with CDAD, does total abdominal colectomy (TAC) compared with other types of surgical intervention decrease mortality? METHODS: A subcommittee of the Practice Management Guideline Committee of the Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis for the selected questions. RevMan software was used to generate forest plots. Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations methodology was used to rate the quality of the evidence, using GRADEpro software to create evidence tables. RESULTS: Reduction in mortality was significantly associated with early surgery, with a risk ratio (RR) of 0.5 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.35-0.72). The quality of evidence was rated "moderate." Considering only the first procedure performed, mortality seemed to trend higher for TAC, with an RR of 1.11 (95% CI, 0.69-1.80). Considering only the actual procedure performed, the point estimate switched sides, showing a trend toward decreased mortality with TAC (RR, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.56-1.31). The quality of evidence was rated "very low." CONCLUSION: We strongly recommend that adult patients with CDAD undergo early surgery, before the development of shock and need for vasopressors. We conditionally recommend total or subtotal colectomy (vs. partial colectomy or other surgery) when the diagnosis of The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is known.

Nosocomial and ventilator-associated pneumonia in a community hospital intensive care unit: a retrospective review and analysis.

BACKGROUND: Nosocomial and ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) are causes of significant morbidity and mortality in hospitalized patients. We analyzed a) the incidence and the outcome of pneumonias caused by different pathogens in the intensive care unit (ICU) of a medium-sized twenty-four bed community hospital and b) the incidence of complications of such pneumonias requiring surgical intervention such as thoracotomy and decortication. RESULTS: We retrospectively reviewed the charts of patients diagnosed with nosocomial and ventilator-associated pneumonia in our ICU. Their bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and sputum cultures, antibiograms, and other clinical characteristics, including complications and need for tracheostomy, thoracotomy and decortication were studied. In a span of one year (2011-12), 43 patients were diagnosed with nosocomial pneumonia in our ICU. The median simplified acute physiology score (SAPS II) was 39. One or more gram negative organisms as the causative agents were present in 85% of microbiologic samples. The three most prevalent gram negatives were Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (34%), Pseudomonas aeurginosa (40%), and Acinetobacter baumannii (32%). Twenty eight percent of bronchoalveolar samples contained Staphylococcus aureus. Eight three percent of patients required mechanical ventilation postoperatively and 37% underwent tracheostony. Thirty five percent underwent thoracotomy and decortication because of further complications such as empyema and non-resolving parapneumonic effusions. A. baumannii, Klebsiella pneumonia extended spectrum beta lactam (ESBL) and P. aeurginosa had the highest prevalence of multi drug resistance (MDR). Fifteen patients required surgical intervention. Mortality from pneumonia was 37% and from surgery was 2%. CONCLUSION: Nosocomial pneumonias, in particular the ones that were caused by gram negative drug resistant organisms and their ensuing complications which required thoracotomy and decortication, were the cause of significant morbidity in our intensive care unit. Preventative and more intensive and novel infection control interventions in reducing the incidence of nosocomial pneumonias are strongly emphasized.

Preoperative increasing C-reactive protein affects the outcome for active infective endocarditis.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine if preoperative time course changes in serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels can predict clinical outcome of surgical intervention for active infective endocarditis. METHODS: Surgically treated patients (n = 109) with active infective endocarditis were reviewed retrospectively. We divided the patients into 2 subgroups according to preoperative transition of increasing or decreasing serum CRP levels, and performed a comparative study. The increasing CRP group included 29 patients and the decreasing CRP group included 80 patients. RESULTS: There were more patients with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and New York Heart Association functional class IV in the increasing CRP group. Hospital mortality was significantly higher in the increasing CRP group (34.5%) than that in the decreasing CRP group (5.0%) (p <0.05). In multivariate analysis, 3 significant risk factors of surgical outcome were identified: a tendency for increasing preoperative CRP levels (odds ratio [OR]: 18.15, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.03-320.78), nosocomial infective endocarditis (OR: 18.73, 95% CI: 1.57-223.60), and dialysis (OR: 1025.46, 95% CI: 2.89-363587.12). CONCLUSION: The outcome of operations for patients with increasing preoperative CRP levels is poor. For treatment of active infective endocarditis, a better operative result is expected when preoperative CRP levels are decreasing.

[Risk factors for infective endocarditis in cardiac valve prosthesis patients].

Infective endocarditis (IM) of the artificial cardiac valve (ACV) constitutes one of severe postoperative complications and presents a total spectrum and number of observations, concerning infectioning of the implanted ACV or of the adjacent tissues, which have had occurred in various time postoperatively. Wide introduction in practical cardiosurgery have caused the raising of the IM of ACV occurrence rate from 16 to 45%. Basing on analysis of data of 276 patients there were studied up the factors and conditions, predisposing to occurrence of IM in ACV. The main causes of a primary affection of natural cardiac valves in the patients were rheumatism and IM, the leading role in occurrence of bacteriemia have played nosocomial factors while performing stomatological, urological, gynecological and general surgical manipulations.

Use of tigecycline in critically ill patients with serious nosocomial intra-abdominal infections.

Intra-abdominal infection (IAI) is a frequent complication found in surgical intensive care unit (SICU) and continues to be associated with considerable mortality. Tigecycline, the first-in-class glycylcycline has demonstrated a broad spectrum of activity against a wide range of bacteria commonly found in IAI. This observational retrospective study aimed to describe the experience with tigecycline for serious nosocomial IAI in the SICU. Data were collected from 23 consecutive patients admitted to SICU with serious nococomial IAI who had received empirical treatment with tigecycline. In all cases, IAI was diagnosed via emergency surgery. Severe sepsis was found in 56.5% and 43.5% developed septic shock. Oncological disease was the most common comorbidity (60%). The mean Simplified Acute Physiology Score (SAPS) III within 24 hours from IAI diagnosis was 57.5±14.7, and 87% showed a McCabe score >1 (2 or 3). Escherichia coli was the most common pathogen (43.5%), followed by Bacteroides spp. and Streptococcus spp. (30.4%, respectively). All but one patient received tigecycline in combination (95.7%), particularly with fluconazole (52.2%), followed by piperacillin-tazobactam (43.5%). Empirical antibiotic therapy was considered adequate in 95%. The mean duration of treatment was 8.5±4.5 days. A favorable response was achieved in 78%. Failure of the antibiotic therapy was not observed in any patient. None of the patients discontinued tigecycline due to adverse reactions. SICU mortality was 13%, with no deaths attributable to tigecycline. These findings suggest that tigecycline combination therapy is an effective and well tolerated empirical treatment of serious nosocomial IAI in the SICU.