Surgical Antibiotic Prophylaxis: A Proposal for a Global Evidence-Based Bundle.

In the multimodal strategy context, to implement healthcare-associated infection prevention, bundles are one of the most commonly used methods to adapt guidelines in the local context and transfer best practices into routine clinical care. One of the most important measures to prevent surgical site infections is surgical antibiotic prophylaxis (SAP). This narrative review aims to present a bundle for the correct SAP administration and evaluate the evidence supporting it. Surgical site infection (SSI) prevention guidelines published by the WHO, CDC, NICE, and SHEA/IDSA/APIC/AHA, and the clinical practice guidelines for SAP by ASHP/IDSA/SIS/SHEA, were reviewed. Subsequently, comprehensive searches were also conducted using the PubMed®/MEDLINE and Google Scholar databases, in order to identify further supporting evidence-based documentation. The bundle includes five different measures that may affect proper SAP administration. The measures included may be easily implemented in all hospitals worldwide and are based on minimal drug pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics knowledge, which all surgeons should know. Antibiotics for SAP should be prescribed for surgical procedures at high risk for SSIs, such as clean-contaminated and contaminated surgical procedures or for clean surgical procedures where SSIs, even if unlikely, may have devastating consequences, such as in procedures with prosthetic implants. SAP should generally be administered within 60 min before the surgical incision for most antibiotics (including cefazolin). SAP redosing is indicated for surgical procedures exceeding two antibiotic half-lives or for procedures significantly associated with blood loss. In principle, SAP should be discontinued after the surgical procedure. Hospital-based antimicrobial stewardship programmes can optimise the treatment of infections and reduce adverse events associated with antibiotics. In the context of a collaborative and interdisciplinary approach, it is essential to encourage an institutional safety culture in which surgeons are persuaded, rather than compelled, to respect antibiotic prescribing practices. In that context, the proposed bundle contains a set of evidence-based interventions for SAP administration. It is easy to apply, promotes collaboration, and includes measures that can be adequately followed and evaluated in all hospitals worldwide.

Manejo quirúrgico del empiema mediante Decorticación Pleural en pacientes del Hospital de Clínicas por el Departamento de Cirugía de Tórax (2016-2019) / Surgical management of empyema through Pleural Decortication in patients of the Clínica´s hospital by the Department of Thoracic Surgery (2016-2019)

El empiema es una colección de líquido purulento en el espacio pleural. La causa más común es la neumonía. Las opciones de tratamiento incluyen toracocentesis terapéutica, colocación de catéter de drenaje, terapia fibrinolítica, pleurodesis y cirugía, como la decorticación pleural. El drenaje pleural es eficaz en la etapa I y la cirugía está reservada para casos complicados (estadios II y III). En estos casos, es necesaria la decorticación pulmonar. Actualmente, el enfoque más favorecido para la decorticación es mediante una toracotomía abierta. Este es un estudio observacional, descriptivo, de corte transversal, retrospectivo, con un muestreo no probabilístico de casos consecutivos que tuvo como población accesible a pacientes con el diagnostico de empiema en quienes se realizó una decorticación pleural en el Hospital de Clínicas por el Departamento de Cirugía de Tórax durante el periodo de marzo 2016 a febrero 2019. Un total de 24 pacientes con el diagnóstico de empiema fueron sometidos a una decorticación pleural. La etiología de empiema más frecuente (75%) fue el derrame paraneumónico. Las complicaciones post quirúrgicas estuvieron presentes en 9 (37,5%) pacientes, de estos, 4 (17%) presentaron fuga aérea durante los primeros días postoperatorios. Se constató la resolución completa del cuadro en 21 (87,5%) pacientes y 3 (12,5%) pacientes presentaron colección residual pleural. Se constató recurrencia en 1 (4%) paciente, requiriendo un re intervención quirúrgica. En conclusión, la casuística de nuestro departamento de tórax coincide en cuanto a valores internacionales de complicaciones, resolución y mortalidad.

Empyema is a collection of purulent fluid in the pleural space. The most common cause is pneumonia. Treatment options include therapeutic thoracentesis, drainage catheter placement, fibrinolytic therapy, pleurodesis, and surgery, such as pleural decortication. Pleural drainage is effective in stage I and surgery is reserved for complicated cases (stages II and III). In these cases, pulmonary decortication is necessary. Currently, the most favored approach to decortication is by open thoracotomy. This is an observational, descriptive, cross-sectional, retrospective study, with a non-probabilistic sampling of consecutive cases that had as the accessible population, patients with the diagnosis of empyema in whom pleural decortication was performed at the Clinica´s Hospital of San Lorenzo, by the Department of Thoracic Surgery during the period from March 2016 to February 2019. A total of 24 patients with the diagnosis of empyema underwent pleural decortication. The most frequent aetiology of empyema (75%) was parapneumonic effusion. Post-surgical complications were present in 9 (37.5%) patients, of these, 4 (17%) presented air leakage during the first postoperative days. Complete resolution of the condition was verified in 21 (87.5%) patients and 3 (12.5%) patients presented residual pleural collection. Recurrence was found in 1 (4%) patient, requiring reoperation. In conclusion, the casuistry of our thoracic department coincides in terms of international values of complications, resolution and mortality.

Manejo de pie diabético en el Servicio de Urgencias del Hospital de Clínicas de San Lorenzo en el año 2019 / Diabetic Foot Management in the Emergency Service of Clinica´s Hospital of San Lorenzo in 2019

El 15% de los individuos con DM2 presenta una úlcera en el pie y una fracción importante de ellos sufrirá en algún momento una amputación. Se realizó un estudio analítico, de corte trasversal retrospectivo de muestreo no probabilístico de casos consecutivos en pacientes con diagnóstico de pie diabético que acudieron al servicio de Urgencias del Hospital de Clínicas de San Lorenzo, en el periodo Enero ­ Diciembre del año 2019. Sobre un número total de 138 pacientes, se observa que el 51% recibió un manejo quirúrgico, con amputaciones de varios tipos. Se comparó el manejo instaurado en los pacientes, sea este quirúrgico o conservador según la presencia o no de ciertas comorbilidades, como edad mayor a 65 años, lugar de procedencia, glicemia capilar promedio del paciente e hipertensión arterial al ingreso; de estos existió una relación estadísticamente significativa (p<0,05) entre la necesidad de amputación y la glicemia capilar y la hipertensión arterial. El éxito de la intervención requiere un completo entendimiento de la patogénesis de las úlceras del pie diabético y una implementación rápida y estandarizada de un tratamiento efectivo. El manejo multidisciplinario puede lograr el salvataje de la extremidad, que conducirá a una mejor calidad de vida y sobrevida.

Among diabetic patients, 15% have a foot ulcer and a significant fraction of them will suffer an amputation at some point. An analytical, retrospective cross-sectional study of non-probabilistic sampling of consecutive cases was carried out in patients with a diagnosis of diabetic foot who attended the Emergency Service of the Clínicas Hospital in San Lorenzo, during January - December of the year 2019. In a total of 138 patients, the management established in the patients, whether surgical or. conservative, was compared according to certain comorbidities, such as age over 65 years, place of origin, average capillary glycemia and arterial hypertension on admission; Of these, there was a statistically significant relationship (p <0.05) between the need for amputation and capillary glycemia and arterial hypertension. Successful intervention requires a thorough understanding of the pathogenesis of diabetic foot ulcers and a rapid and standardized implementation of effective treatment. Multidisciplinary management can achieve limb salvage, leading to better quality of life and survival.

Predictores de Coledocolitiasis en pacientes con litiasis vesicular sintomática tratados en la Segunda Cátedra de Clínica Quirúrgica, Hospital de Clínicas, San Lorenzo año 2017-2019 / Predictors of Choledocholithiasis in patients with symptomatic gallstones treated in the II General Surgery Service of Clinica´s Hospital, San Lorenzo, year 2017-2019

La litiasis vesicular sintomática puede presentarse asociada a litiasis de la vía biliar principal, siendo necesaria la utilización de medios diagnósticos adecuados para su posterior tratamiento. En este trabajo, se sugiere la evaluación mediante las guías de la Sociedad Americana para Endoscopia Gastrointestinal (American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy ASGE), usando factores como la edad, pruebas hepáticas y hallazgos ecográficos, categorizando a los pacientes en baja, intermedia y alta probabilidad de coledocolitiasis. Estudio de diseño retrospectivo, observacional, descriptivo, de corte transversal, con un muestreo no probabilístico de casos consecutivos, sobre pacientes con diagnóstico de litiasis vesicular sintomática y sospecha de litiasis de la via biliar principal internados en la II Cátedra de Clínica Quirúrgica, del Hospital de Clínicas de San Lorenzo, entre los años 2017 a 2019. Con los siguientes resultados, de un total de 339 pacientes con diagnóstico de litiasis vesicular sintomática, el 6,64% tuvo el diagnóstico de coledocolitiasis asociada. En cuanto a los predictores muy fuertes de coledocolitiasis el más frecuentemente (68,6%,) encontrado fue el nivel de la bilirrubina total ≥ 4mg/dl; de los predictores fuertes el 70,6% presentaba la vía biliar principal dilatada; de los predictores moderados, el 84,3% presentó las enzimas hepáticas alteradas. En conclusión, se pudo identificar que la mayoría de los pacientes presentó alta probabilidad de coledocolitiasis y la conducta tomada fue realizar en primer lugar una colangiografía retrógrada endoscópica, con fines terapéuticos y luego colecistectomía, correspondiente al manejo correcto establecido por las guías actuales internacionales.

Symptomatic gallstones can occur associated with lithiasis of the main bile duct, requiring the use of adequate diagnostic tools for subsequent treatment. In this paper, we suggest using the guidelines of the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE), that uses factors such as age, liver tests, and ultrasound findings, categorizing patients as those with low, intermediate, and high probability. of choledocholithiasis. A Retrospective, observational, descriptive, cross-sectional design study, with a non-probabilistic sampling of consecutive cases, on patients with a diagnosis of symptomatic gallstones and suspected stones of the main bile duct admitted to the the 2nd Surgical Department and Service of Clinica´s Hospital of San Lorenzo, between the years 2017 to 2019. With the following results; of a total of 339 patients with the diagnosis of symptomatic gallstones, 6.64% had associated choledocholithiasis. Regarding the very strong predictors of choledocholithiasis, the most frequent (68.6%) was the total bilirubin level ≥ 4mg / dl; 70.6% had a dilated main bile duct as a strong predictor; as a moderate predictor, 84.3% had altered liver enzymes. In conclusion, it was possible to identify that most of the patients presented a high probability of choledocholithiasis and the action taken was to first perform an endoscopic retrograde cholangiography, for therapeutic purposes, and then cholecystectomy, corresponding to the correct management established by current international guidelines.

Recidiva de fístulas perianales post quirúrgicas en la Segunda Cátedra de Clínica Quirúrgica, Hospital de Clínicas, San Lorenzo año 2008-2019 / Recurrence of post-surgical perianal fistulas in the II General Surgery Service of Clinica´s Hospital, San Lorenzo year 2008-2019

Una Fístula Anal es la comunicación anormal entre el conducto anorrectal y la piel. El objetivo central en el tratamiento de la fístula anal es eliminar la fístula y los síntomas, prevenir la recurrencia y preservar la función del esfínter anal. El único tratamiento curativo para las fístulas anales criptogénicas es la cirugía. Se realizó un estudio observacional, descriptivo con componentes analíticos, de corte transversal, con un muestreo no probabilístico de casos consecutivos en pacientes operados de fístulas anales por el Servicio de Coloproctología en la II Cátedra de Clínica Quirúrgica del Hospital de Clínicas San Lorenzo (2008-2019). De un total de 112 pacientes, no existió relación estadísticamente significativa entre el grado de obesidad, las comorbilidades, los distintos síntomas, la complejidad de la fístula ni la región comprometida y la recidiva postquirúrgica. La técnica quirúrgica más empleada fue la fistulotomía en el 75,9% de los casos. Las recidivas se vieron en 6.25% de los pacientes. En nuestra serie el riesgo de obtener una recidiva era 16 veces mayor en las fístulas complejas con relación a las simples (RR = 15,9 para p=0,001) y existió una relación estadísticamente significativa entre el tipo de cirugía realizada y el porcentaje de recidiva post quirúrgica. Las fístulas anales son una entidad nosológica de relevancia, que crea molestias hasta problemas en el desenvolvimiento tanto laboral como social por lo cual debe ser motivo de estudio exhaustivo en nuestro hospital como lo es en el mundo.

An Anal Fistula is an abnormal communication between the anorectal duct and the skin. The central goal of its treating is to eliminate the fistula and symptoms, prevent recurrence, and preserve anal sphincter function. The only curative treatment for cryptogenic anal fistulas is surgery. An observational, descriptive study was carried out with analytical components, cross-sectional, with a non-probabilistic sampling of consecutive cases in patients operated on for anal fistulas by the Coloproctology Service in the II Surgery Department of Clinica´s Hospital of San Lorenzo (2008- 2019). Out of a total of 112 patients, there was no statistically significant relationship between the degree of obesity, comorbidities, different symptoms, the complexity of the fistula or the anal region involved, and the postoperative recurrence. The most used surgical technique was fistulotomy in 75.9% of the cases. Recurrences were seen in 6.25% of the patients. In our series, the risk of obtaining a recurrence was 16 times greater in complex fistulas than in simple ones (RR = 15.9 for p = 0.001) and there was a statistically significant relationship between the type of surgery performed and the percentage of postoperative recurrence. Anal fistulas are a relevant nosological entity, which creates discomfort in both work and social development, which is why it should be the subject of exhaustive study in our hospital as it is in the world.

Úlceras por presión en el Servicio de Urgencias de Adultos del Hospital de Clínicas en el periodo 2014-2019 / Pressure ulcers at the Adult Emergency Service of the Clínica´s Hospital in the period 2014-2019

Las úlceras o escaras por presión son regiones de daño localizado en la piel y tejidos subyacentes que generalmente se desarrollan por presión constante sobre huesos o prominencias. Las úlceras por presión están asociadas a prolongadas y más costosas estadías hospitalarias, con mayores tasas de mortalidad. El presente trabajo es de diseño retrospectivo, observacional, analítico, de corte transversal, con un muestreo no probabilístico de casos consecutivos. Se analizaron los datos de 178 pacientes. La patología de base predominante (24%) fue el accidente cerebrovascular. Localización más frecuente fue la escara sacra (58%). Existió una relación estadísticamente significativa entre los diagnósticos que implicaban un encamamiento crónico y la aparición de úlceras profundas grado IV, así como la progresión al grado IV en las localizaciones tanto sacras como en su aparición en múltiples localizaciones simultaneas. El tratamiento de elección en el Grado I (70 %) fue la curación, en el Grado III (14%) fue escarectomía y en el Grado IV (46%) un desbridamiento quirúrgico. Las úlceras por presión constituyen un problema de salud con importantes repercusiones en el estado de salud y la calidad de vida, con un gran impacto socio-económico y es por esto que la evaluación integral del paciente, permite la prevención de las mismas identificando los factores predisponentes a desarrollarlas.

Pressure ulcers or sores are regions of localized damage to the skin and underlying tissues that generally develop from constant pressure on bones or body prominences. Pressure ulcers are associated with longer and more expensive hospital stays, with higher mortality rates. The present work is of a retrospective, observational, analytical, cross-sectional design, with a non-probabilistic sampling of consecutive cases. Data from 178 patients were analyzed. The predominant underlying pathology (24%) was cerebrovascular accident or stroke. The most frequent location was the sacral eschar (58%). There was a statistically significant relationship between diagnoses that implied chronic bedriddening and the appearance of deep grade IV ulcers, as well as progression to grade IV in both sacral locations and their appearance in multiple simultaneous locations. The treatment of choice in grade I (70%) was wound dressing, in Grade III (14%) it was scarectomy and in grade IV (46%) a surgical debridement. Pressure ulcers constitute a health problem with significant repercussions on the state of health and quality of life, with a great socio-economic impact and that is why the comprehensive evaluation of the patient allows their prevention by identifying the factors predisposing to develop them.

Knowledge, awareness, and attitude towards infection prevention and management among surgeons: identifying the surgeon champion.

Despite evidence supporting the effectiveness of best practices of infection prevention and management, many surgeons worldwide fail to implement them. Evidence-based practices tend to be underused in routine practice. Surgeons with knowledge in surgical infections should provide feedback to prescribers and integrate best practices among surgeons and implement changes within their team. Identifying a local opinion leader to serve as a champion within the surgical department may be important. The "surgeon champion" can integrate best clinical practices of infection prevention and management, drive behavior change in their colleagues, and interact with both infection control teams in promoting antimicrobial stewardship.

2017 WSES guidelines for the management of iatrogenic colonoscopy perforation.

Iatrogenic colonoscopy perforation (ICP) is a severe complication that can occur during both diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Although 45-60% of ICPs are diagnosed by the endoscopist while performing the colonoscopy, many ICPs are not immediately recognized but are instead suspected on the basis of clinical signs and symptoms that occur after the endoscopic procedure. There are three main therapeutic options for ICPs: endoscopic repair, conservative therapy, and surgery. The therapeutic approach must vary based on the setting of the diagnosis (intra- or post-colonoscopy), the type of ICP, the characteristics and general status of the patient, the operator's level of experience, and surgical device availability. Although ICPs have been the focus of numerous publications, no guidelines have been created to standardize the management of ICPs. The aim of this article is to present the World Society of Emergency Surgery (WSES) guidelines for the management of ICP, which are intended to be used as a tool to promote global standards of care in case of ICP. These guidelines are not meant to substitute providers' clinical judgment for individual patients, and they may need to be modified based on the medical team's level of experience and the availability of local resources.

Raising concerns about the Sepsis-3 definitions.

The Global Alliance for Infections in Surgery appreciates the great effort of the task force who derived and validated the Sepsis-3 definitions and considers the new definitions an important step forward in the evolution of our understanding of sepsis. Nevertheless, more than a year after their publication, we have a few concerns regarding the use of the Sepsis-3 definitions.

The management of intra-abdominal infections from a global perspective: 2017 WSES guidelines for management of intra-abdominal infections.

Intra-abdominal infections (IAIs) are common surgical emergencies and have been reported as major contributors to non-trauma deaths in the emergency departments worldwide. The cornerstones of effective treatment of IAIs are early recognition, adequate source control, and appropriate antimicrobial therapy. Prompt resuscitation of patients with ongoing sepsis is of utmost important. In hospitals worldwide, non-acceptance of, or lack of access to, accessible evidence-based practices and guidelines result in overall poorer outcome of patients suffering IAIs. The aim of this paper is to promote global standards of care in IAIs and update the 2013 WSES guidelines for management of intra-abdominal infections.

Implementation of a Hospital Electronic Surgical Registry in a Lower-Middle-Income Country.

BACKGROUND: While the benefits of using electronic health records (EHRs) in both developed and low- and middle-income countries are known, the barriers to implementing EHRs in lower-middle-income countries have not been fully characterized. We assessed organizational readiness for implementation of a mobile (tablet-based) EHR, to create a real-time electronic surgical registry, in a busy lower-middle-income country hospital. METHODS: Six semi-structured focus groups were conducted with hospital administrators, faculty surgeons, surgical residents, interns, nurses and medical students in a large urban hospital in Asuncion, Paraguay. Focus groups were conducted over the course of three weeks during the pre-implementation phase to identify barriers to implementation. Focus group data were coded using the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF), which are 12 validated domains related to behavior change. RESULTS: Reinforcement, environmental context/resources and roles/responsibilities were the most relevant TDF domains that emerged. Residents and students were more uncertain than faculty and department heads about who would enforce the use of the tool in place of paper charting. Internet quality was a concern raised by all. The local, normative hierarchical structure within the surgical department, including piecemeal communication between the department heads and the residents about roles and responsibilities, was a major perceived barrier to implementation. CONCLUSIONS: Uncertainties about reinforcement, roles and responsibilities for using a novel EHR tool, and technology infrastructure are potential barriers to address in the pre-implementation phase of introducing an EHR to a lower-middle-income country surgical service. Addressing these potential barriers with all stakeholders prior to implementation will be a critical next step in this effort.

Experiencia quirúrgica en el pseudoquiste pancreático (cisto-yeyunoanastomisis en Y de Roux) / Experience with surgical treatment of the pancreatic pseudocysts

Estudio observacional, descriptivo, retrospectivo con el objetivo de evaluar los resultados del tratamiento quirúrgico del pseudoquiste pancreático, durante el tiempo comprendido entre marzo de 1996 a noviembre de 2003. La edad promedio fue 34,4 años, (13/57). Cinco fueron varones (62,5pto) y 3 mujeres (37,5pto). La etiología fue biliar (n:5), post traumática (n:2) e idiopática en un caso. La ecografía y la TAC abdominal fueron diagnósticas en el 100 pto. de los casos. La cirugía realizada fue biopsia extemporánea intraoperatoria y cisto yeyunoanastomosis en Y de Roux en todos ellos, con colecistectomía en los casos biliares. Una colección purulenta de la herida como morbilidad y una mortalidad operatoria, por embolia pulmonar, no relacionada a la técnica de cirugía. En el seguimiento de éstos pacientes 2/60meses), no se ha constatado complicaciones. Se concluye que el manejo quirúrgico (cisto-yeyunoanastomosis en Y de Roux) fue con excelentes resultados.

Estudio cuantitativo de la denervación de los plexos nerviosos en el megacolon chagásico / Annual reports 1994 / Quantitative study of neural plexuses denervation in chagasic megacolon

El megacolon chagásico es la patología digestiva más frecuente observada en nuestro país en la etapa crónica de la enfermedad de Chagas. La destrucción de las células ganglionares del plexo mientérico por el Trypanosoma cruzi es considerada como la lesión inicial. Para determinar el grado y la distribución de la aganglionosis e hipoganglionosis de los plexos de Meissner y de Auerbach según la proporción células/mm, se analizaron histológicamente segmentos de megacolon de 10 pacientes adultos con serología positiva para Chagas. Todos los segmentos presentaron áreas de aganglionosis e hipoganglionosis severa de distribución multifocal a lo largo de los mismos, más acentuadas en el plexo de Auerbach y tambien en el extremo distal y en el tercio distal del segmento. (o a 0.17 células ganglionares por mm.), sin displasia neuronal. La lesión neuronal observada en el megacolon chagásico es multifocal y diseminada, y su mayor severidad en la zona rectosigmoidea se relacionaría con transtornos fisiológicos en la coordinación motora