[Systematic investigation of surgical site infections (SSI) in plastic reconstructive and aesthetic surgery (ERCS): Feedback]. / Investigation systématique des infections de site opératoire (ISO) en chirurgie plastique reconstructrice et esthétique (CPRE) : retour d'expérience.

Surgical site infection (SSI) in plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery (ERCP) is quite uncommon compared to other surgical specialities but remains one of the main complications. The aim of our study was to provide feedback on the systematic investigation of SSI in ERCP. This is a monocentric retrospective study, including all paediatric and adult patients who have undergone ERCP surgery between 01/01/2014 and 31/12/2021. During this period, the department systematically investigated all SSI cases. Eight thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight surgical procedures were performed. The SSI rate was 0.34%. Thirty SSIs (19W,11M), with a mean age of 56 years (none paediatric), were investigated. Twenty-seven patients suffered from comorbidities. The surgical indications included 17 cases of skin cancer, 7 cases of weight loss, 4 cases of breast reconstruction, 1 lipoma, 1 pectus excavatum. Eleven surgeries consisted in lymphnode procedures (8 sentinel lymphnodes, 3 curage). The average operating time was 116minutes. Nineteen patients received antibiotic prophylaxis. The average time to onset of SSI after surgery was 10 days. The most prevalent bacteria were commensals of the skin flora and the digestive tract. Apart from surgical management, 100% of patients were treated with antibiotics. High age, multiple comorbidities, long, combined procedures, placement of equipment, lymph node surgery, post-operative punctures on implanted equipment, are all risks factors for SSI. The implementation of a systematic monitoring of SSI within our department has provided us with the opportunity to analyse our data in real time and allow us to adjust our practices if necessary. This process can be used in other plastic reconstructive and aesthetic surgery departments. The collection and analysis of SSIs is both easily done and the procedure is well standardized. The assistance of the operational hygiene team is a key asset for the success of this project. The development of this type of procedure on a national level could be an asset to improve the management of SSI by taking advantage of the experience of a larger number of centres.

[Proposal of guidelines for antibiotic prophylaxis in plastic, reconstructive, and aesthetic surgery]. / Proposition de recommandations sur l'antibioprophylaxie en chirurgie plastique, reconstructrice et esthétique.

BACKGROUND: In plastic surgery, guidelines about antibiotic prophylaxis are inaccurate and incomplete, due to result the absence of high-level studies on this subject. The main aim is to establish national common recommendations for plastic surgery antibiotic prophylaxis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A working group will discuss and validate a multi-center analysis of practices in three University Hospital Centers compared to an interdisciplinary analysis of recommendations to the French Society of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine and scientific literature. This working group is composed of plastic surgeon members of the French Society of Aesthetic Reconstructive Plastic Surgery, infectious disease physicians, and anaesthesiologists to define clear and precise antibiotic prophylaxis recommendations. RESULTS: Antibiotic prophylaxis with cefazoline (or clindamycine±gentamicine in case of allergy), has been recommended for general surgery with flap or implants, for breast surgery, lipofilling, and rhinoplasty. In other plastic surgery, no antibiotic prophylaxis has been recommended. CONCLUSION: We established common recommendations for plastic surgery antibiotic prophylaxis that is the first step to update these recommendations. Now, they can be evaluated in clinical situation to validate them.

[What's new in instrumental dermatology?] / Quoi de neuf en dermatologie instrumentale ?

This "What's new in instrumental dermatology" dedicated skin surgeryis based upon a 2015-2017 literature analysis. The excision of skin cancers is an important part of surgical dermatology. Will artificial intelligence and new drug be able to face the increasing need for therapy? Wrong-site surgery is due to multiple factors. Photographs of biopsy site and short time between biopsy and surgery decrease postponement of surgery and wrong-site surgery. Noninvasive imaging technologies are improving and help to delineate skin tumors and increase the probability of complete tumor removal. They are beginning to be an essential tool for skin surgery. The 2005 recommendations for the management of melanoma stages I to III have been updated in 2016. The Slow-Mohs technique is the better way to treat dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans whose sub-clinical invasion is often asymmetric and unpredictable. Wide local excision for the treatment of severe hidradenitis suppurativa improves the quality of life and decreases recurrence rate. Cutaneous surgery is considered as safe procedures with a low risk of complications. Postoperative bleedings are the most frequent. Anti-thrombotics enhance the risk, but must not be stopped or bridged, except the novel oral anticoagulants which can be interrupted 24h before surgery and started again a few hours after. The risk of surgical site infections is low in dermatologic surgery. Most recommended measures to prevent them have been extrapolated from other types of surgery and the level of evidence is low. The reconstruction of skin defect must be adapted on size and location. A birhombic transposition flap is reliable in case of a defect too large to be repaired by a single flap. Full-thickness skin graft is a safe option to repair defect on the external ear.

Incidence and predictors of surgical site infection in a general surgery department in Algeria.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the epidemiology of surgical site infection (SSI) in Algeria. To determine the incidence and predictors of SSI in the 70-bed general surgery department at the Blida University Hospital, a 1-year prospective study (May 2006 to April 2007) was conducted. METHODS: SSIs were classified according to the National Nosocomial Infection Surveillance (NNIS) System criteria and identified by bedside surveillance and post-discharge follow-up. Predictors were identified using a logistic regression model. RESULTS: Of 593 surgical procedures, 32 SSIs were identified (5.4%). Twenty-eight (43.8%) of the infections were diagnosed after discharge. The incidence of SSIs varied by procedure and risk category. On multivariate regression analysis, age (OR=1.35) and NNIS risk index (OR=3.02) were significant predictors of SSI. The causative pathogens were isolated in 12 (37.5%) of the 32 recorded SSIs. Staphylococcus aureus was predominant (n=5). CONCLUSION: The high SSI rates reported in this study suggest the need to implement preventive measures in the surgery department. Potential areas for intervention include antibiotic prophylaxis and shaving practices for skin preparation.

[Update of the 2013 consensus conference "Management of the preoperative risk of infection"]. / Mise à jour 2013 de la conférence de consensus « Gestion préopératoire du risque infectieux ¼

UNLABELLED: The surgical site infections (SSI) are rare adverse events that may have severe consequences in terms of morbidity, mortality and costs. Guidelines on the preparation of the patient can reduce the risk of SSI. Previous guidelines were published in 2004. MATERIAL: A steering committee and a group of experts were established after seeking professional societies that had participated in the previous guidelines. The working group has defined the objectives of revising and retained two main themes: skin preparation and nasal decolonization of patients with Staphylococcus aureus. We chose to report only the work done on the patient skin preparation. The working group relied on the method of recommendation for clinical practice of the High Authority for Health (HAS). The GRADE approach was used to analyze the articles published since 2004. RESULTS: It is recommended to perform a preoperative shower but when does not matter. The use of a simple soap seems sufficient. Shampoo does not seem essential nor removal of varnish in the field of urology. Impregnated fabrics, adhesives fields and bacteriological insulating films are of little use to reduce the risk of infection. The depilation is not routinely required. It is recommended to perform a cleansing on contaminated skin. The use of an alcohol antiseptic is preferred, the successive application of two different antiseptics range is possible. CONCLUSIONS: The updated guidelines on the patient skin preparation before urological surgery was necessary. It changed some guidelines that should appear in our daily practice.

Relevance of antibiotic prophylaxis in the management of surgical emergency open hand trauma.

Surgical site infection after emergency hand surgery can cause considerable morbidity and, in the most severe forms, even toxic shock syndrome. Postoperative antibiotic prophylaxis aims to reduce the number of surgical site infections. However, excessive use of antibiotics induces side-effects for patients and antibiotic resistance for society. Contrary to other orthopedic sites, there is no consensus on postoperative antibiotic prophylaxis in open hand trauma beyond analogic reasoning with no proven scientific validity. Our hypothesis was that absence of postoperative antibiotic prophylaxis after open hand trauma surgery does not affect the rate of surgical site infections. A prospective cohort study included 405 patients, operated on in the emergency hand trauma unit without intra- or post-operative antibiotic prophylaxis. Patients were followed up in consultation at 7, 14 and 30 days. Surgical site infection was defined by need for surgery for detersion and flattening, followed by curative antibiotic therapy. The surgical site infection rate was 2.22%. Four patients were lost to follow-up and counted as surgical site infection as originally planned in the worst-case analysis. There were five surgical revisions followed by antibiotic therapy. These results do not differ from those reported in the literature, and thus confirm our hypothesis that postoperative antibiotic prophylaxis is not indicated in open hand trauma management.

Surgical site infection following surgery for spinal deformity: About 102 patients.

INTRODUCTION: Complex spinal surgery is known to be at risk of complications. Surgical site infection is a serious complication in spine surgery and its frequency is significantly increased in adult spinal deformity correction. The aim of this study is to identify patients' characteristics and risk factors of surgical site infection (SSI) following an osteotomy. METHODS: This is a single-center retrospective study of patients who underwent an osteotomy between January 2015 and December 2017. Surgical site infection diagnosis was based upon patient's clinical evidence of infection, biologic parameters, microbiological criteria and/or image findings. RESULTS: In total, 102 patients were eligible and 70 were women (68.6%). Mean age was 65 years old (27-83 years) and mean body mass index (BMI) was 26.14kg.m-2 (18.4-44.1). Eleven patients were in the SSI group and 91 in the No-SSI group. The mean Schwab grade was 1.5 (1-4) in the SSI group vs. 1.4 (1-5) in the No-SSI group (P=0.435). The mean operative time was on 201.9 minutes (67-377). Mean length of stay was 20.6 days (10-73) in the SSI group vs. 15 days (5-44) in the No-SSI group (P=0.041). Favorable outcome was found in 10 patients (90.9%) in the SSI group. CONCLUSION: Correction surgery for adult spinal deformity with osteotomies carries a high risk of complications specially SSI. Identification of risk factors, prevention and medical management of SSI should be well assessed.

[Surgical site infections at Bocar Sidy Sall University Hospital Center of Kati]. / Infections du site operatoire en chirurgie generale du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Bocar Sidy Sall de Kati.

INTRODUCTION: Surgical site infections (SSI) are frequent and dangerous in the surgical ward. They represent an obsession for the surgeon. The objectives were to determine the frequency of ISOs and risk factors, to identify the germs and to study their sensitivity to different antibiotics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study with prospective data collection, performed at the general surgery department of the Bocar Sidy Sall University Hospital Center (Kati CHU) from January 2015 to December 2018. RESULTS: During this period of study we recorded 55 cases of ISO out of 650 operated patients with a frequency of 8.46%. 450 patients were operated on the cold operating program (69.23%) and 200 patients on emergency (30.77%). The average age was 39, the sex ratio was 2.66. Among the 55 cases of ISO, 60% of these patients were operated in emergency and 40% in the operating program. The most common strains found were Escherichia coli (E. coli) in 38.3% of cases, Staphylococcus aureus in 23.4% and Klebsiella pneumonia in 13.3%. Hemoglobin levels were normal in 70% of cases. 4 of our patients or 7.27% were diabetic. We did not have any cases of obesity. Of the 55 cases of ISO, 66% were of class 3 and 4 of Altemeier, 59% were of ASA score 2 and ASA 3, 55% were of score 2 of NNISS (National Nosocomial Infection Surveillance System), 5.45% were NNISS score 3 or 3 cases and these 3 cases developed ISO. The ISOs were parietal in 49 cases, ie 89%. The recovered germs were 100% sensitive to imipenem. The most informative interventions of the ISOs were peritonitis 25 cases (45.45%), intestinal occlusions 12 cases (21.82%), appendicular abscess 8 cases (14.55%). We had 2 death cases, 3.64%, the average hospital stay was 13 days. CONCLUSION: Escherichia coli was the common germ found in the ISO in general surgery at Kati BSS Hospital. The usual resistance to antibiotics must provoke effective preventive actions.

INTRODUCTION: Les infections du site opératoires (ISO) sont fréquentes et redoutables, au service de chirurgie. Elles représentent une hantise pour le chirurgien. Les objectifs étaient de déterminer la fréquence des ISO et les facteurs de risque, d'identifier les germes et étudier leur sensibilité aux différents antibiotiques. MATÉRIELS ET MÉTHODES: il s'agissait d'une étude transversale avec recueil prospectif des données, réalisée au service de chirurgie générale du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Bocar Sidy Sall (CHU BSS) de Kati allant de janvier 2015 à décembre 2018. Elle a concerné tous les patients opérés dans le service pendant cette période d'étude. N'ont pas été inclus dans cette étude les cas de biopsie. RÉSULTATS: Au cours de cette période d'étude nous avons enregistré 55 cas d'ISO sur 650 malades opérés soit une fréquence de 8,46%. 450 malades ont été opérés au programme opératoire à froid (69,23%) et 200 malades en urgence (30,77%). L'âge moyen était de 39 ans, le sex-ratio à 2,66. Parmi les 55 cas d'ISO, 60% de ces malades ont été opérés en urgence et 40% au programme opératoire. Les différentes souches les plus retrouvées étaient l'Escherichia coli (E. coli) dans 38,3% des cas, le staphylococcus aureus dans 23,4%, klebsiella pneumonia dans 13,3%. Le taux d'hémoglobine était normal dans 70% des cas. 4 de nos patients soit 7,27% étaient diabétiques. Nous n'avions pas enregistré de cas d'obésité. Parmi les 55 cas des ISO, 66 % étaient de classe 3 et 4 d'Altemeier, 59% étaient de score ASA 2 et ASA 3, 55% étaient de score 2 de NNISS (National Nosocomial Infection Surveillance System), 5,45% étaient de score 3 de NNISS soit 3 cas et ces 3 cas ont développé des ISO. Les ISO étaient pariétales dans 49 cas soit 89%. Les germes retrouvés étaient sensibles à 100% à l'imipénème. Les interventions les plus pourvoyeuses des ISO étaient les péritonites 25 cas (45,45%), les occlusions intestinales 12 cas (21,82%), les abcès appendiculaires 8 cas (14,55%). Nous avions enregistré 2 cas de décès soit 3,64%, la durée moyenne d'hospitalisation a été de 13 jours. CONCLUSION: L'Escherichia coli était le germe fréquemment rencontré dans les ISO en chirurgie générale au CHU BSS de Kati. La résistance aux antibiotiques usuels doit susciter des actions préventives efficaces.

[Operating site infection in the orthopedic surgery department at the hospital of Sikasso]. / Infection du site opératoire (ISO) en chirurgie orthopédique a l'hopital de Sikasso.

INTRODUCTION: The objective of this study was to determine the incidence of the operating site infection, precise the etiologies and identify the risk factors. PATIENTS AND METHOD: This was a prospective study conducted at the department of orthopedics and traumatology at the hospital of Sikasso. The study was conducted from January 2016 to December 2018. The infection criteria were those of CDC from Atlanta. RESULT: This study was conducted on 140 patients including 105 men and 35 women with an average age of 40, 1 years old (3 and 88 years old). We have made 150 interventions including 131 osteosynthesis, 14 arthroplasties and 5 corrective osteotomies. The global incidence of the operating site infection was of 19, 3% with a 13, 4% incidence in surgery class I, 21, 4% in the class II, 26, 5% in the class III and 50% in the class IV. . It was superficial in 18 cases (62, 1%) and deep in 11 cases (37, 9%). The average post-surgery hospitalization duration was 13 days (5 and 70 days in extreme cases). The isolated germs were Staphylococcus aureus in 6 cases (37,5 %), Pseudomonas aeruginosa in 3 cases (18,7 %), Enterobacter cloacae in 3 cases (18,7%), Escherichia Coli in 2 cases (12,5 %,), Klebsiellapneumoniae in 1 case (6,3%) and Proteus mirabilis in 1 case (6,3%). They were 100% sensible to imipramine. 90% of the cases were resisting to ampicillin and penicillin G. CONCLUSION: The incidence of the ISO in our department was high. The risk factors of Operating Sites Infections were: hospitalization duration beyond 2 days, ASA Score over 2 days long, the surgical intervention class and the operation duration higher than 3 hours.

INTRODUCTION: Le but de cette étude était de déterminer l'incidence de l'infection du site opératoire, de préciser les étiologies et d'identifier les facteurs de risque. PATIENTS ET MÉTHODE: Il s'agissait d'une étude prospective réalisée dans le service de chirurgie orthopédique et traumatologique de l'hôpital de Sikasso. L'étude s'est déroulée de Janvier 2016 à décembre 2018. Les critères d'infection ont été ceux du CDC d'Atlanta. RÉSULTATS: Cette étude concernait 140 patients dont 105 hommes et 35 femmes d'âge moyen de 40,1 ans (extrêmes : 3 et 88 ans). Nous avions réalisé 150 interventions dont 131 ostéosynthèses, 14 arthroplasties et 5 ostéotomies de correction. L'incidence globale de l'infection du site opératoire était de 19,3% avec une incidence 13,4% dans la classe de chirurgie I, 21,4% dans la classe II, 26,5% dans la classe III et 50% dans la classe IV. Elle était superficielle dans 18 cas (62,1%) et profonde dans 11 cas (37,9%). La durée moyenne d'hospitalisation post-opératoire était de 13 jours (extrêmes 5 et 70 jours). Les germes isolés étaient le Staphylococcus aureus 6 cas (37,5 %) le Pseudomonas aeruginosa 3 cas (18,7 %), l'Enterobacter cloaca e3 cas (18,7%),l' Escherichia Coli2 cas(12,5 %,), le Klebsiella pneumoniae 1cas (6,3%)et le Protéus mirabilis 1 cas (6,3%). Ils étaient sensibles à l'imipenem dans 100 %. Ils étaient résistants à l'ampicilline, à l'amoxicilline et pénicilline G dans 90% des cas. CONCLUSION: L'incidence des ISO dansnotre service était élevée. Les facteurs de risques des ISO que nous avions identifiés ont été la durée d'hospitalisation supérieure à deux jours, le Score ASA supérieur à 2, la classe de l'intervention chirurgicale et la durée opératoire supérieure à 3 heures.

[Surgical site infections at surgery service B of Point "G" hospital]. / Infections du site operatoire en chirurgie « B ¼ CHU du Point G.

BACKGROUND: Surgical site infections (SSI) complicate most operations in developing countries. A variety of germs is responsible for it. The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of surgical site infections and the bacteriological profile. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a prospective study for descriptive purposes. The included patients were treated between August 2016 and July 2017 in the Surgery B department of the University Hospital Center Point G. The study population consisted of all patients operated on and hospitalized for at least 72 hours. Patients who had an infection of the operative site were retained. The incidence of ISOs, the different bacterial strains and their susceptibility to antibiotics were studied. Data was analyzed on SPSS 12.0. RESULTS: The incidence of surgical site infections was 4.7%. The median age of the patients was 29.5 ± 4.34, the sex ratio was 1.66. The average time to onset of infections was 7.33 days. Of the samples taken, 4 bacterial strains were identified: Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Acinobacter baumanii and Enterobacter spp. Isolated strains of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were sensitive to Cefotaxim, Amikacin, Nitrofurantoin, but resistant to Ceftriaxon, Amoxicillin + Clavulanic acid. The species of Acinobacter baumanii and Enterococcus spp. Were sensitive to Colistin, but resistant to Ceftriaxone, Amoxicillin + clavulanic acid. CONCLUSION: Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus are the main germs of the generally antibiotic-resistant ISOs commonly used in the service.

INTRODUCTION: Les infections du site opératoire (ISO) compliquent la plupart des opérations dans les pays en développement. Une diversité de germes en est responsable. Le but de cette étude était de déterminer l'incidence des infections du site opératoire et leur profil bactériologique. PATIENTS ET MÉTHODES: Nous avons réalisé une étude prospective à visée descriptive. Les patients inclus étaient pris en charge entre Aout 2016 et Juillet 2017 dans le service de chirurgie B du centre hospitalier universitaire du Point G. La population d'étude était constituée de tous les patients opérés et hospitalisés pendant au moins 72 heures. Les patients ayant présenté une infection du site opératoire étaient retenus. L'incidence des ISO, les différentes souches bactériennes et leur sensibilité aux antibiotiques ont été étudiées. Les données ont été analysées sur SPSS 12.0. RÉSULTATS: L'incidence des infections du site opératoire était de 4,7%. L'âge médian des patients était de 29,5 ans ±4,34, le sex ratio de 1,66. Le délai moyen d'apparition des infections était de 7,33 jours. Sur les prélèvements réalisés, 4 souches bactériennes étaient identifiées : Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Acinobacter baumanii et Enterobacter spp. Les souches d'Escherichia coli et de Staphylococcus aureus isolées étaient sensibles au Cefotaxime, à Amikacine, à Nitrofurantoïne, mais résistantes à Ceftriaxone, à Amoxicilline+Acide clavulanique. Les espèces d'Acinobacter baumanii et d'Entérocoque spp étaient sensibles à Colistine, mais résistantes à Ceftriaxone, à Amoxicilline+Acide clavulanique. CONCLUSION: Escherichia coli et Staphylococcus aureus sont les principaux germes des ISO généralement résistants aux antibiotiques couramment utilisés dans le service.

Postoperative collections after liver surgery: Risk factors and impact on long-term outcomes.

INTRODUCTION: Postoperative collection (PC) can occur after liver surgery, but little is known on their impact on short and long-term outcomes. The aim of this study was to analyse factors predicting the occurrence of PC, the need of drainage and their impact on oncologic outcomes. METHODS: This single-center, cohort-study included adult patients undergoing liver surgery between 2008 and 2017. The primary objective was to determine variables associated with PC occurrence defined by fluid collection on postoperative day-7 CT scan. Secondary objectives were factors predicting drainage requirement, and predictors of overall survival. RESULTS: During the study period 395 patients were included: 53.6% of them (n=210) developed a PC with 12% (n=49) requiring drainage. Variables associated to the occurrence of PC were body mass index>35kg/m2 (OR 8.09, 95%CI (1.50,43.60) P=0.015) and extension of liver surgery (major vs. minor, OR 1.96, 95% CI (1.05,3.64) P<0.034) while laparoscopic approach was associated to a protective role (OR 0.35, 95%CI (0.18,0.67) P=0.001) in the multivariate analysis. The presence of a PC requiring treatment was associated to long-term mortality (OR:1.85, 95% CI (1.15, 2.97) P<0.01) in patients with malignant disease. CONCLUSIONS: Patients undergoing to major open liver surgery with BMI>35kg/m2 have an increased risk to develop a PC: this target population need a systematic imaging in the postoperative period, even if the indication for drainage should be guided by clinical symptoms. Last, the presence of PC requiring treatment has a negative impact on overall survival among patients treated for malignant disease.

[Staphylococcal toxic shock syndrome after breast surgery]. / Syndrome du choc toxique staphylococcique après chirurgie du sein.

The surgical site infection occurs within 30 days after surgery. It is the most common complication of surgery, with a rate of 1 to 5% without antibiotic prophylaxis and less than 1% with antibiotic prophylaxis. The toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is a dramatic complication. We report the case 39-year-old woman who presented a life-threatening TSS acquired after breast surgery. We describe the signs and symptoms of this condition as well as treatment principles.

Surgical site infections and mortality in elderly patients.

OBJECTIVE: We present the characteristics and outcome of surgical site infections (SSI) in patients 65 years of age or more, and determine the factors influencing mortality. METHODS: We conducted a prospective observational cohort study, comparing patients who survived with those who died, to identify risk factors associated with mortality among elderly patients presenting with SSI. The diagnosis of SSI was made for each patient, according to the CDC's standardized criteria. RESULTS: Seventy-five patients presenting with SSI were included in the study. The mean age of patients was 75 ± 6 (65-92), 68% were male patients. The most frequently isolated pathogen was Acinetobacter baumannii (n = 24). The overall in-hospital mortality rate was 25.3%. The statistical analysis revealed that gastrointestinal surgery, organ/space infections, polymicrobial infections, and higher SOFA scores were significantly associated with hospital mortality (P = 0.005, P = 0.0001, P = 0.047, P = 0.0001). According to laboratory tests, higher white blood cell (WBC) and neutrophil count, higher total bilirubin level, and lower thrombocyte count and albumin levels were significantly associated with hospital mortality (P = 0.040, P = 0.014, P = 0.001, P = 0.019, P=0.002). Multivariate analyses revealed that serum albumin (P = 0.004, OR = 11.3, CI 95% 2.16-59.07), organ/space SSI (P = 0.0001, OR = 11.65, CI 95% 3.003-45.21), and SOFA score (P = 0.030, OR = 2.742, 1.100-6.84) were independent risk factors associated with mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Serum albumin levels, organ/space infections, and higher SOFA scores were independently significantly associated with hospital mortality in older patients with SSI. Serum albumin levels should be closely monitored, and if necessary, early surgery should be performed.

Epidemiology and prevention of surgical site infections after cardiac surgery.

Deep sternal wound infection is the major infectious complication in patients undergoing cardiac surgery, associated with a high morbidity and mortality rate, and a longer hospital stay. The most common causative pathogen involved is Staphylococcus spp. The management of post sternotomy mediastinitis associates surgical revision and antimicrobial therapy with bactericidal activity in blood, soft tissues, and the sternum. The pre-, per-, and postoperative prevention strategies associate controlling the patient's risk factors (diabetes, obesity, respiratory insufficiency), preparing the patient's skin (body hair, preoperative showering, operating site antiseptic treatment), antimicrobial prophylaxis, environmental control of the operating room and medical devices, indications and adequacy of surgical techniques. Recently published scientific data prove the significant impact of decolonization in patients carrying nasal Staphylococcus aureus, on surgical site infection rate, after cardiac surgery.