Absceso intraabdominal por Streptococcus constellatus en paciente inmunocompetente / Intra-abdominal abscess caused by Streptococcus constellatus in an immunocompetent patient

Streptococcus constellatus is a Gram-positive commensal bacterium of the oropharyngeal, gastrointestinal and urogenital flora. It can cause abscesses in different parts of the body, especially in immunocompromised patients. We present the clinical case of a 33-year-old female patient with a previous history of one anastomosis gastric bypass, among others. The patient was hospitalized two years after surgery for peritonitis secondary to a perforation in the biliopancreatic loop, underwent laparoscopic surgery and was hospitalised for two weeks. Fifteen days after being discharged from the hospital, she went to the emergency service for abdominal pain and fever. An abdominal and pelvic computerized tomography (CT) scan showed a multiloculated pelvic collection with thickened and hypercapillary walls (AU)

Evidencia científica de la duración del tratamiento antibiótico en las infecciones intraabdominales con control de foco quirúrgico / Scientific evidence of the duration of antibiotic treatment in intra-abdominal infections with surgical focus control

El aumento progresivo de las resistencias antibióticas apremia el tener estrategias para disminuir la presión sobre la microbiota. La duración del tratamiento antibiótico empírico es variable, a pesar de las recomendaciones de las guías. Se ha realizado una revisión bibliográfica de la evidencia científica publicada sobre la duración del tratamiento antibiótico empírico en las infecciones intraabdominales quirúrgicas con control de foco efectivo. Se analizan las guías americanas realizadas por Mazuski et al. de 2017 como eje central en las recomendaciones de la duración de tratamiento antibiótico empírico en infecciones intraabdominales con control del foco y se añade una búsqueda bibliográfica de todos los artículos que contuviesen las palabras claves en Pubmed y Google Scholar. Se recopilan 21 artículos referentes en la duración del tratamiento antibiótico empírico en la infección intraabdominal con control del foco. Con las guías americanas y estos artículos se ha elaborado una propuesta de duración del tratamiento antibiótico empírico en pacientes sin factores de riesgo entre 24 y 72 h. Y en los que presentan factores de riesgo se habría de individualizar el mismo con monitorización activa cada 24 h de fiebre, íleo paralítico y leucocitosis, ante una detección precoz de complicaciones o de necesidad de cambios en el espectro antibiótico. Los tratamientos cortos son igual de eficaces que los de duraciones más prolongadas y se asocian a menos tasa de efectos adversos, por tanto, ajustar y revaluar diariamente la duración del tratamiento antibiótico empírico es fundamental para una mejor praxis (AU)

A non-systematic review of the published scientific evidence has been carried out on the duration of empirical antibiotic treatment in surgical intra-abdominal infections with effective focus control. Given the progressive increase in antibiotic resistance, it is urgent to have strategies to reduce the pressure on the microbiota. The American guidelines made by Mazuski et al. of 2017, as the central axis in the recommendations of the duration of empirical antibiotic treatment in intra-abdominal infections with control of the focus and a bibliographic search of all the articles that contained the keywords in Pubmed and Google Scholar is added. 21 articles referring to the duration of empirical antibiotic treatment in intra-abdominal infection with control of the focus are collected. With the American guidelines and these articles, a proposal is prepared for the duration of empirical antibiotic treatment in patients without risk factors between 24 and 72h. And in those who present risk factors, it should be individualized with active monitoring every 24h of fever, paralytic ileus and leukocytosis, before an early detection of complications or the need for changes in antibiotic treatment. Short treatments are just as effective as those of longer durations and are associated with fewer adverse effects, therefore, daily adjusting and reassessing the duration of empirical antibiotic treatment is essential for better practice (AU)

Scientific evidence of the duration of antibiotic treatment in intra-abdominal infections with surgical focus control.

A non-systematic review of the published scientific evidence has been carried out on the duration of empirical antibiotic treatment in surgical intra-abdominal infections (IIA) with effective focus control. Given the progressive increase in antibiotic resistance, it is urgent to have strategies to reduce the pressure on the microbiota. The American guidelines made by Mazuski et al. of 20171, as the central axis in the recommendations of the duration of empirical antibiotic treatment in intra-abdominal infections with control of the focus and a bibliographic search of all the articles that contained the keywords in Pubmed and Google Scholar is added. 21 articles referring to the duration of empirical antibiotic treatment in intra-abdominal infection with control of the focus are collected. With the American guidelines and these articles, a proposal is prepared for the duration of empirical antibiotic treatment in patients without risk factors between 24 and 72 h. And in those who present risk factors, it should be individualized with active monitoring every 24 h of fever, paralytic ileus and leukocytosis (FIL), before an early detection of complications or the need for changes in antibiotic treatment. Short treatments are just as effective as those of longer durations and are associated with fewer adverse effects, therefore, daily adjusting and reassessing the duration of empirical antibiotic treatment is essential for better practice.

Algunas consideraciones necesarias sobre la infección intraabdominal posoperatoria

RESUMEN La infección intraabdominal posoperatoria, es un problema de salud a escala mundial y precisa de atención multidisciplinaria para corregirla. Su complejidad radica en el diagnóstico precoz y la relaparotomía para controlarla. Es una complicación de la cirugía abdominal, cuya atención clínico quirúrgica integral compete a cirujanos generales, cirujanos pediátricos, obstetras, proctólogos, urólogos, imagenólogos, anestesiólogos e intensivistas. Se impone por tanto en los médicos tratantes, el dominio de aspectos esenciales, como parte de la superación profesional permanente y continuada que les permita garantizar la necesaria calidad atencional del afectado, como única vía para disminuir las altas tasas de morbilidad y mortalidad debido a esta temida afección.

ABSTRACT Postoperative intra-abdominal infection is a global health problem and requires multidisciplinary care to correct it. Its complexity lies in the early diagnosis and relaparotomy to control it. It is a complication of abdominal surgery, whose comprehensive clinical surgical care is the responsibility of general surgeons, pediatric surgeons, obstetricians, proctologists, urologists, imaging specialists, anesthesiologists, and intensivists. Therefore, the mastery of essential aspects is necessary on the treating doctors, as part of the permanent and continuous professional improvement that allows them to guarantee the necessary quality of care of the affected, as the only way to reduce the high rates of morbidity and mortality due to this dreaded condition.

Infección intraabdominal posoperatoria tratada con técnica de abdomen abierto desde un enfoque inclusivo / Infecção intra-abdominal pós-operatória tratada com uma técnica de abdômen aberto a partir de uma abordagem inclusiva / Postoperative intraabdominal infection treated with open abdominal technique from an inclusive approach

Introducción: La infección intraabdominal posoperatoria es una grave complicación que con frecuencia requiere de la técnica de abdomen abierto para solucionarla, lo cual exige competencia profesional y humanismo. Objetivo: Analizar desde un enfoque inclusivo las particularidades de la técnica de abdomen abierto aplicada en pacientes con infección intraabdominal posoperatoria. Método: Se realizó un estudio exploratorio con enfoque cualitativo en el Hospital Clínico Quirúrgico Dr. Ambrosio Grillo Portuondo de Santiago de Cuba durante junio-octubre de 2020. Se utilizó la sistematización como método teórico y como métodos empíricos el análisis documental con la revisión de las historias clínicas y la observación con la práctica atencional-docente de la autora. Resultados: El análisis documental y la práctica contextualizada de la autora en los diversos escenarios de atención clínico-quirúrgica a pacientes con infección intraabdominal posoperatoria permitió constatar la necesidad de que el cirujano no vea de forma aislada al paciente con esta grave complicación a quien se le aplica con frecuencia la técnica de abdomen abierto para controlar la contaminación, ya que las particularidades de esta estrategia demandan la actualización sistemática para mejorar el desempeño profesional unido a una gran sensibilidad humana. Conclusiones: En la infección intraabdominal posoperatoria tratada con técnica de abdomen abierto es pertinente que los médicos responsables muestren dominio de las particularidades de la estrategia quirúrgica con un enfoque inclusivo unido a una gran sensibilidad humana como evidencia de calidad atencional(AU).

Introduction: Postoperative intraabdominal infection is a serious complication that commonly requires the open abdominal technique to solve it, and also requires of professional competence and humanism. Objective: To assess, from an inclusive approach, the features of the open abdominal technique applied in patients with postoperative intraabdominal infection. Method: An exploratory study with a qualitative approach was carried out at the Hospital Clínico Quirúrgico Dr. Ambrosio Grillo Portuondo in Santiago de Cuba, from June thoughout October 2020. Systematization was used as theoretical method and, on the other hand, documentary analysis (applying the clinical histories review) and the observation (applying the author's care-teaching practice) were used as empirical methods. Results: The documentary analysis and the contextualized practice of the author, in the different scenarios of clinical-surgical care to patients with postoperative intraabdominal infection, allowed confirming the need for the surgeon not to see patients with this serious complication as an isolated event. Patients who open abdomen technique were frequently applied to control contamination. It should be taken into account that the particularities of this strategy demand for systematic updating to improve professional performance matched with a great human sensitivity. Conclusions: In the postoperative intraabdominal infection treated with open abdominal technique, it is pertinent that physicians show mastery concerning surgical strategy features with an inclusive approach matched with a great human sensitivity as evidence of a great quality care(AU).

Introdução: A infecção intra-abdominal pós-operatória é uma complicação grave que frequentemente requer a técnica de abdômen aberto para sua resolução, o que requer competência profissional e humanismo. Objetivo: Analisar a partir de uma abordagem inclusiva as particularidades da técnica de abdome aberto aplicada em pacientes com infecção intra-abdominal pós-operatória. Método: Foi realizado um estudo exploratório com abordagem qualitativa no Hospital Clínico Quirúrgico Dr. Ambrosio Grillo Portuondo de Santiago de Cuba durante o período de junho a outubro de 2020. A sistematização foi utilizada como método teórico e como método empírico, o documentário análise com a revisão do prontuário e observação com a prática pedagógica do autor. Resultados: A análise documental e a prática contextualizada do autor nos diversos ambientes de atendimento clínico-cirúrgico ao paciente com infecção intra-abdominal pós-operatória permitiram constatar a necessidade de o cirurgião não atender isoladamente o paciente portador dessa grave complicação. A técnica do abdômen aberto é frequentemente aplicada para o controle da contaminação, uma vez que as particularidades dessa estratégia requerem atualização sistemática para melhorar o desempenho profissional aliado a grande sensibilidade humana. Conclusões: No pós-operatório de infecção intra-abdominal tratada pela técnica de abdome aberto, é pertinente que os médicos responsáveis demonstrem domínio das particularidades da estratégia cirúrgica com abordagem inclusiva aliada a grande sensibilidade humana como evidência de qualidade da assistência(AU).

Hallazgos microbiológicos y susceptibilidad antimicrobiana en cirugía abdominal de urgencia / Microbiological findings and antimicrobial susceptibility in emergency abdominal surgery

Resumen Introducción: Es importante mantener programas de vigilancia bacteriana para disminuir resistencia y definir esquemas farmacológicos adecuados. Los pacientes con abdomen agudo representan un grupo microbiológico especial. Objetivos: Hacer una revisión de agentes patógenos en pacientes adultos operados en nuestro Servicio de Urgencia por patología abdominal con líquido libre y analizar los resultados obtenidos de cultivos respecto a las cepas y la susceptibilidad a los antibióticos. Materiales y Método: Estudio de cohorte prospectiva con estadística descriptiva. Se incluyen pacientes consecutivos, mayores de 18 años, operados por abdomen agudo que presentan líquido libre intraperitoneal entre noviembre de 2017 y abril de 2018. Se excluyen casos con terapia antimicrobiana, hospitalización y/o cirugía en los 3 meses previos. Se registran los cultivos positivos, cepas aisladas, susceptibilidad antimicrobiana, datos demográficos y evolución clínica. Resultados: De 63 pacientes 55% fueron hombres, edad promedio 52,2 años. Las patologías más frecuentes fueron de origen apendicular (62%) y de causa entérica (30%). En un 44% el cultivo fue positivo y en 36% con más de un germen. Escherichia coli fue el patógeno más frecuente (64,2%) seguidos de Enterococcus faecium y Streptococcus anginosus (7,1%). De los otros patógenos cultivados sólo se observó resistencia múltiple en un caso aislado de Morganella Morganii. Conclusiones: Estos datos constituyen la realidad microbiológica local en abdomen agudo. La Escherichia Coli sigue siendo el germen más frecuente, debe enfrentarse con profilaxis y tratamiento antibiótico adecuado. Es necesario mantener vigilancia microbiología local para un manejo acorde.

Introduction: It is important to maintain bacterial surveillance programs to decrease resistance and define adequate pharmacological schemes. Patients with abdomen represent a special microbiological group. Objetives: Make a review of pathogens in adult patients operated in our Emergency Service for abdominal pathology with free fluid and analyze the results obtained from cultures with respect to the strains and susceptibility to antibiotics. Materials and Method: Prospective cohort study with descriptive statistics. We include consecutive patients, older than 18 years old, operated on by abdomen who present free intraperitoneal fluid between November 2017 and April 2018. Cases with antimicrobial therapy, hospitalization and/or surgery 3 months prior are excluded. Positive cultures, isolated strains, antimicrobial susceptibility, demographic data and clinical evolution are recorded. Results: Of 63 patients, 55% were men and the average age was 52.2 years. The most frequent pathologies were of appendicular origin (62%) and of enteric origin (30%). In 44% the crop was positive and in 36% with more than one germ. Escherichia coli was the most frequent pathogen (64.2%) followed by Enterococcus faecium and Streptococcus anginosus (7.1%). Of the others, cultivated pathogens have only observed multiple resistance in an isolated case of Morganella Morganii. Conclusions: These data include the local microbiological reality in acute abdomen. Escherichia coli is still the most frequent germ that must be faced with the profile and the appropriate treatment. It is necessary to maintain local microbiology surveillance for a proper management.

Are reactive C protein and procalcitonin useful for early diagnosis of postoperative intraabdominal infection after pancreaticoduodenectomy for pancreatic cancer?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship between C reactive protein and procalcitonin levels and the appearance of post-operative intraabdominal infection, in patients with pancreaticoduodenectomy due to pancreatic cancer. METHOD: A prospective observational study, including 35 patients, was made. Procalcitonin and C reactive protein were measured before surgery, as well as 24, 48 and 72 h after the surgical procedure. Patients were divided in two groups, with and without intraabdominal infection. RESULTS: Six patients (17.1%) presented post-operative intraabdominal infection. Both, procalcitonin and C reactive protein, increased in all patients after surgery, but there were no significant differences between the two groups. However, the ratio between the C reactive protein concentrations on post-operative day 3 and the concentrations on post-operative day 1 was significantly increased in the group of patients with intraabdominal infection. The predictive positive value and the predictive negative value for this ratio were 60% and 95%, respectively, for a cut-off point of 2.3. CONCLUSIONS: The ratio between C reactive protein value on post-operative day 3 and the value on post-operative day 1 is a good predictor of post-operative intraabdominal infection after pancreaticoduodenectomy.

OBJETIVO: Evaluar la relación entre los valores de proteína C reactiva y de procalcitonina y la aparición de infección intraabdominal posoperatoria en pacientes con duodenopancreatectomía por cáncer de páncreas. MÉTODO: Estudio prospectivo observacional que incluye 35 pacientes. Ambos parámetros se midieron antes de la cirugía y a las 24, 48 y 72 horas de la intervención. Los pacientes se dividieron en dos grupos: con y sin infección intraabdominal. RESULTADOS: Seis pacientes (17.1%) tuvieron infección intraabdominal. Ambos parámetros aumentaron en todos los pacientes tras la cirugía, pero no hubo diferencias significativas entre los dos grupos. Sin embargo, el cociente entre los valores de proteína C reactiva en el día 3 y los valores en el día 1 de posoperatorio era significativamente mayor en los pacientes con infección intraabdominal, con un valor predictivo positivo del 60% y un valor predictivo negativo del 95%, para un punto de corte de 2.3. CONCLUSIONES: El cociente entre las concentraciones séricas de proteína C reactiva en el tercer día y en el primer día de posoperatorio es un buen predictor de infección intraabdominal posoperatoria después de una duodenopancreatectomía.

[Tratamiento ambulatorio de la diverticulitis aguda no complicada. Análisis de nuestra experiencia]. / Outpatient treatment of uncomplicated acute diverticulitis. Analysis of our experience.

OBJECTIVE: Analyze the safety and efficacy of the outpatient treatment of uncomplicated acute diverticulitis and a costs analysis. METHOD: We conducted a prospective, non-randomized study between June 2014 and June 2017. We included all patients diagnosed of uncomplicated acute diverticulitis based on clinical and abdominal computed tomography scan in the Emergency Department of the University Hospital San Juan de Alicante (Spain). Outpatient treatment consisted of oral antibiotics for 7 days (amoxicillin-clavulanate or ciprofloxacin and metronidazole in patients with betalactamic allergy), liquid diet for 72 h and analgesics. Costs were evaluated according to the Law of Rates of Valencian Community. RESULTS: Ninety patients were included, 49 females and 41 males with a median age of 56 years. Success rate was 95.5% (n = 86) requiring hospital admission 4 patients (4.5%). Antibiotic treatment was amoxicillin-clavulanate in 82 patients (91.1%) and ciprofloxacin and metronidazole in 8 (8.9%). Cost savings per patient was approximately 1985 € comparing with hypothetically all inpatient treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Outpatient treatment of uncomplicated acute diverticulitis can be performed successfully in most patients allowing an important cost savings.

OBJETIVO: Evaluar la seguridad y la eficacia del tratamiento con antibiótico oral para la diverticulitis aguda no complicada, y realizar un análisis de costos. MÉTODO: Estudio prospectivo, no aleatorizado, entre junio de 2014 y junio de 2017. Se incluyeron todos los pacientes diagnosticados de diverticulitis aguda no complicada según la clínica y la tomografía abdominal en el servicio de urgencias del Hospital Universitario San Juan de Alicante (España). El tratamiento ambulatorio consistió en antibiótico oral durante 7 días (amoxicilina-ácido clavulánico o ciprofloxacino y metronidazol en alérgicos a los betalactámicos), dieta líquida durante 72 horas y analgésicos. Los costos fueron evaluados según la Ley de Tasas de la Comunidad Valenciana. RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron 90 pacientes, 49 mujeres y 41 hombres, con una mediana de edad de 56 años. La tasa de éxito fue del 95.5% (n = 86), necesitando ingreso hospitalario cuatro pacientes (4.5%). El tratamiento antibiótico empleado fue amoxicilina-ácido clavulánico en 82 pacientes (91.1%) y ciprofloxacino con metronidazol en ocho pacientes (8.9%). El ahorro por paciente fue de 1985 euros en comparación con el hipotético ingreso de todos los pacientes. CONCLUSIONES: El tratamiento ambulatorio de la diverticulitis aguda no complicada se completó con éxito en la mayoría de los pacientes, permitiendo una importante reducción del gasto.

EPICO 3.0. Recommendations on invasive candidiasis in patients with complicated intra-abdominal infection and surgical patients with ICU extended stay.

BACKGROUND: Although in the last decade the management of invasive fungal infections has improved, a number of controversies persist regarding the management of complicated intra-abdominal infection and surgical extended length-of-stay (LOS) patients in intensive care unit (ICU). AIMS: To identify the essential clinical knowledge and elaborate a set of recommendations, with a high level of consensus, necessary for the management of postsurgical patients with complicated intra-abdominal infection and surgical patients with ICU extended stay. METHODS: A Spanish prospective questionnaire, which measures consensus through the Delphi technique, was anonymously answered and e-mailed by 30 multidisciplinary national experts, all of them specialists in fungal invasive infections from six scientific national societies; these experts were intensivists, anesthesiologists, microbiologists, pharmacologists and specialists in infectious diseases. They answered 11 questions drafted by the coordination group after conducting a thorough review of the literature published in the last few years. For a category to be selected, the level of agreement among the experts in each should be equal to or greater than 70%. In a second round, 73 specialists attended a face-to-face meeting which was held after extracting recommendations from the chosen topics and in which they validated the pre-selected recommendations and derived algorithm. RESULTS: After the second Delphi round, the following 11 recommendations with high degree of consensus were validated. For "surgical patients" seven recommendations were validated: (1) risk factors for invasive candidiasis (IC), (2) usefulness of blood culture and direct examination of abdominal fluid to start empirical treatment; (3) PCR for treatment discontinuation; (4) start antifungal treatment in patients with anastomotic leaks; (5) usefulness of Candida score (CS) but not (6) the Dupont score for initiating antifungal therapy in the event of anastomotic leakage or tertiary peritonitis, and (7) the administration of echinocandins as first line treatment in this special population. For "surgical ICU extended LOS patients" four recommendations were validated: (1) risk factors for IC, (2) presence of multi-colonization by Candida as a required variable of the CS, (3) starting antifungal treatment with CS≥4, and (4) to perform non-culture-based microbiological techniques in stable septic patients without evident focus. CONCLUSIONS: The diagnosis and management of IC in ICU surgical patients requires the application of a broad range of knowledge and skills that we summarize in our recommendations. These recommendations, based on the DELPHI methodology, may help to identify potential patients, standardize their global management and improve their outcomes.

[Procalcitonin and C-reactive protein as early indicators of postoperative intra-abdominal infection after surgery for gastrointestinal cancer]. / Procalcitonina y proteína C reactiva como marcadores precoces de infección intraabdominal postoperatoria en pacientes operados de cáncer gastrointestinal.

AIM: to evaluate the association between serum levels of procalcitonin and C-reactive protein, on the first 3 postoperative days, and the appearance of postoperative intra-abdominal infection. METHOD: Prospective observational study including 67 patients operated on for colo-rectal, gastric and pancreatic cancer. Serum levels of procalcitonin and C-reactive protein were analyzed before surgery and daily until the third postoperative day. Values of procalcitonin (PCT) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were recorded as well as their accuracy for detection of postoperative intra-abdominal infection (PIAI). RESULTS: The incidence of postoperative intra-abdominal infection was 13.4%. CRP serum levels at 72h, PCT serum levels at 24, 48 and 72h and the ratio between serum levels of CRP at 72hours and serum levels of CRP at 48hours (CRP D3/CRP D2) were significantly associated with the appearance of postoperative intra-abdominal infection. The highest sensitivity corresponded to PCT at 72hours (88.9%); the highest specificity and positive predictive value corresponded to the ratio CRP D3/CRP D2 (96.49% and 71.4%, respectively); the highest negative predictive value to procalcitonin at 72h and 24h. CONCLUSIONS: Serum levels of PCT are significantly associated with the appearance of postoperative intra-abdominal infection. Sensitivity and predictive positive values are low, but negative predictive value is high, even at 24h after surgery.

Cuándo operar un paciente con sepsis en estado crítico / When to operate a septic critically ill patient

La infección intraabdominal de cualquier origen es la segunda causa de muerte por sepsis en los pacientes en estado crítico y continúa siendo un reto para el médico tratante, dado que existen muchos factores que afectan el enfoque del manejo racional. La creciente tasa de resistencia de los gérmenes intrahospitalarios a las terapias antibióticas convencionales, las diferentes visiones que existen sobre cómo dilucidar el dilema de definir una conducta médica o quirúrgica y la falta de ensayos clínicos con suficiente validez que nos proporcionen una guía que cambie el curso de la enfermedad, hacen de este problema un objeto de constante discusión y discrepancia entre los especialistas que intervienen en su solución. Esta revisión actualiza los conceptos de grupos multidisciplinarios que ayudarán a definir la conducta para el manejo apropiado de esta grave situación clínica.

Regardless its origin, intra-abdominal infection is the second cause of death due to sepsis in critically ill patients and remains a challenge for the treating physician due to the many factors affecting the approach of a rational management. The increase of the resistance rate to conventional antimicrobial therapy of nosocomial organisms, different opinions on how to work out the dilemma of defining a medical or surgical treatment and the lack of valid clinical trials providing guidelines which change the disease´s course, makes this problem a subject of constant discussion and discrepancy between intervening specialists. This review updates the concepts of various multidisciplinary groups which will help define the conduct for appropriate handling of this serious clinical condition.