Intraperitoneal contamination index (Hajibandeh index) predicts nature of peritoneal contamination and risk of postoperative mortality in patients with acute abdominal pathology: a prospective multicentre cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: To assess whether intraperitoneal contamination index (ICI) (Hajibandeh index) derived from combined levels of CRP, lactate, neutrophils, lymphocytes, and albumin can predict the nature of intraperitoneal contamination in patients with acute abdominal pathology and to assess whether ICI can predict postoperative mortality in patients undergoing emergency laparotomy. METHODS: In order to prospectively validate the ICI, developed and validated retrospectively in our previous study, a multicentre prospective cohort study was conducted between January 2019 and June 2020 including all adult patients who presented with acute abdominal pathology requiring emergency laparotomy. ROC curve analysis was performed to determine discrimination and cut-off values of preoperative ICI that could predict the nature of intraperitoneal contamination and postoperative mortality. RESULTS: Overall, 269 patients were included in the prospective validation cohort which were compared with 234 patients in the primary cohort and 234 patients in the retrospective validation cohort. The analyses identified ICI of 24.76 as cut-off value for purulent contamination (AUC: 0.78, P < 0.0001; sensitivity: 82.4%, specificity: 60.9%); ICI of 33.84 as cut-off value for feculent contamination (AUC: 0.78, P < 0.0001; sensitivity: 82%, specificity: 67.8%), and ICI of 33.47 as cut-off value for postoperative mortality (AUC: 0.70, P < 0.0001; sensitivity: 72.7%, specificity: 58.47%). The results of the prospective validation cohort were comparable with the results of the primary and retrospective validation cohorts. CONCLUSIONS: Hajibandeh index predicts the presence of purulent and feculent intraperitoneal contamination in patients with acute abdominal pathology and postoperative mortality in patients undergoing emergency laparotomy. Future studies should investigate the effect of ICI use on the accuracy of preoperative prognostic scoring tools and on patient selection for operative or non-operative management of underlying abdominal pathology.

The risk and predictors of mortality in octogenarians undergoing emergency laparotomy: a multicentre retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to evaluate the risk of postoperative mortality in octogenarians undergoing emergency laparotomy. METHODS: In compliance with STROCSS guideline for observational studies, we conducted a multicentre retrospective cohort study. All consecutive patients aged over 80 with acute abdominal pathology requiring emergency laparotomy between April 2014 and August 2019 were considered eligible for inclusion. The primary outcome measure was 30-day postoperative mortality, and the secondary outcome measures were in-hospital mortality and 1-year mortality. Statistical analyses included simple descriptive statistics, binary logistic regression analyses, and Kaplan-Meier survival statistics. RESULTS: A total of 523 octogenarians were eligible for inclusion. Emergency laparotomy in octogenarians was associated with 21.8% (95% CI 18.3-25.6%) 30-day postoperative mortality, 22.6% (95% CI 19.0-26.4%) in-hospital mortality, and 40.2% (95% CI 35.9-44.5%) 1-year mortality. Binary logistic regression analysis identified ASA status (OR, 2.49; 95% CI 1.82-3.38, P < 0.0001) and peritoneal contamination (OR, 2.00; 95% CI 1.30-3.08, P = 0.002) as predictors of 30-day postoperative mortality. The ASA status (OR, 1.92; 95% CI 1.50-2.46, P < 0.0001), peritoneal contamination (OR, 1.57; 95% CI 1.07-2.48, P = 0.020), and presence of malignancy (OR, 2.06; 95% CI 1.36-3.10, P = 0.001) were predictors of 1-year mortality. Log-rank test showed significant difference in postoperative survival rates among patients with different ASA status (P < 0.0001) and between patients with and without peritoneal contamination (P = 0.0011). CONCLUSIONS: Emergency laparotomies in patients older than 80 years with ASA status more than 3 in the presence of peritoneal contamination carry a high risk of immediate postoperative and 1-year mortality. This should be taken into account in communications with patients and their relatives, consent process, and multidisciplinary decision-making process for operative or non-operative management of such patients.

Efficacy of colistimethate sodium as local application in necrotising fasciitis.

Necrotising fasciitis (NF) is a rapidly progressive severe soft tissue infection of the deep fascia resulting in the destruction of overlying subcutaneous tissue and skin. We report the case of NF of the lower limb with a poor prognosis due to multidrug-resistant (MDR) Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae) sensitive only to colistin. In view of the worsening condition of the wound, risk of deterioration of renal function and economic constraints, it was decided to start on colistin therapy locally by colistimethate sodium (CMS). The patient responded well to the treatment and got clinically better. Subsequent culture sent for post-treatment showed no growth of the organism. The wound healed with regular dressings by 8 weeks. This was found to be a very cost-effective treatment modality. Local use of CMS was found to be a novel method of achieving infection-free wound especially against MDR K. pneumoniae.

Correlation between the Cernea Classification of External Branch of Superior Laryngeal Nerve in Relation to the Ultrasound-based Volume of Thyroid Gland.

INTRODUCTÍON: Goiter is a very common problem dealt with by surgeons. Surgical treatment of thyroid requires removal of a part (hemi) or whole of the gland (total thyroidectomy). The external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve (EBSLN) is an important but less researched structure to be preserved during surgery. Various studies have described the incidence of different types of EBSLN, but have not described regarding the relationship between the change in volume of the gland to the nerve. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective analysis of 100 patients who underwent total thyroidectomy in our department was done. All patients underwent preoperative ultrasonography and the volume of the gland was calculated. Intraoperatively, the EBSLN was identified and preserved prior to ligating the superior thyroid vessels. The nerve was classified as per the Cernea classification. The gland was divided into high and low volume, taking 20 ml as the cutoff. The incidence of Type 2 nerve in a low-volume gland was compared with that of a high-volume gland. RESULTS: In 100 patients (200 nerves), 191 nerves were identified. The nerve was type 1 in 56/200 (28%), Type 2a in 116/200 (58%), and Type 2b in 19/200 (9%) patients. In large-volume glands, Type 2 nerve was more common (87%). CONCLUSION: Dissection of thyroid gland requires expertise to preserve the EBSLN. Large volume glands pose a more difficult challenge, as the gland is more closer to the nerve.