Ceftolozane/tazobactam for the treatment of multidrug resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa: experience from the Balearic Islands.

A prospective, descriptive observational study of consecutive patients treated with ceftolozane/tazobactam in the reference hospital of the Balearic Islands (Spain), between May 2016 and September 2017, was performed. Demographic, clinical, and microbiological variables were recorded. The later included resistance profile, molecular typing, and whole genome sequencing of isolates showing resistance development. Fifty-eight patients were treated with ceftolozane/tazobactam. Thirty-five (60.3%) showed respiratory tract infections, 21 (36.2%) received monotherapy, and 37 (63.8%) combined therapy for ≥ 72 h, mainly with colistin (45.9%). In 46.6% of the patients, a dose of 1/0.5 g/8 h was used, whereas 2/1 g/8 h was used in 41.4%. In 56 of the cases (96.6%), the initial Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates recovered showed a multidrug resistant (MDR) phenotype, and 50 of them (86.2%) additionally met the extensively drug resistant (XDR) criteria and were only susceptible colistin and/or aminoglycosides (mostly amikacin). The epidemic high-risk clone ST175 was detected in 50% of the patients. Clinical cure was documented in 37 patients (63.8%) and resistance development in 8 (13.8%). Clinical failure was associated with disease severity (SOFA), ventilator-dependent respiratory failure, XDR profile, high-risk clone ST175, negative control culture, and resistance development. In 6 of the 8 cases, resistance development was caused by structural mutations in AmpC, including some mutations described for the first time in vivo, whereas in the other 2, by mutations in OXA-10 leading to the extended spectrum OXA-14. Although further clinical experience is still needed, our results suggest that ceftolozane/tazobactam is an attractive option for the treatment of MDR/XDR P. aeruginosa infections.

Interatrial blocks prevalence and risk factors for human immunodeficiency virus-infected persons.

BACKGROUND: Interatrial blocks are considered a new important risk factor for atrial fibrillation and cerebrovascular events. Their prevalence and clinical implications have been reported in general population and several subgroups of patients but no data from HIV-infected populations, with a non-negligible prevalence of atrial fibrillation, has been previously reported. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study in a previously enrolled cohort of randomly selected middle-aged HIV-infected patients who attended our hospital and were clinically stable. Patients underwent both a 12-lead rest electrocardiogram and clinical questionnaires while epidemiological, clinical and HIV-related variables were obtained from electronic medical records and interviews with the patients. Electrocardiograms were then analyzed and codified using a standardized form by two trained members of the research team who were blinded to clinical variables. RESULTS: We obtained electrocardiograms from 204 patients with a mean age of 55.22 years, 39 patients (19.12%) presented an interatrial block, 9 (4.41%) advanced and 30 (14.71%) partial. Patients with interatrial block had a lower nadir lymphocyte CD4 count (124 vs 198 cells, p = 0.02) while advanced interatrial blocks were associated to older age (62.16 vs. 54.95 years, p = 0.046) and hypertension (77.8% vs. 32.3%, p = 0.009). We did not find differences regarding baseline CD4 lymphocyte count or CD4/CD8 lymphocyte ratio. Clinical variables and functional capacity among patients with or without interatrial block were similar. CONCLUSIONS: In a cohort of clinically stable HIV infected patients the prevalence of interatrial blocks, specially advanced, is high and associated to previously known factors (age, hypertension) and novel ones (nadir CD4 lymphocyte count).

Three-Hand Endoscopic Endonasal Transsphenoidal Surgery: Experience With an Anatomy-Preserving Mononostril Approach Technique.

BACKGROUND: Variations on the endoscopic transsphenoidal approach present unique surgical techniques that have unique effects on surgical outcomes, extent of resection (EOR), and anatomical complications. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the learning curve and perioperative outcomes of the 3-hand endoscopic endonasal mononostril transsphenoidal technique. METHODS: Prospective case series and retrospective data analysis of patients who were treated with the 3-hand transsphenoidal technique between January 2007 and May 2015 by a single neurosurgeon. Patient characteristics, preoperative presentation, tumor characteristics, operative times, learning curve, and postoperative outcomes were analyzed. Volumetric EOR was evaluated, and a logistic regression analysis was used to assess predictors of EOR. RESULTS: Two hundred seventy-five patients underwent an endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery using the 3-hand technique. One hundred eighteen patients in the early group had surgery between 2007 and 2010, while 157 patients in the late group had surgery between 2011 and 2015. Operative time was significantly shorter in the late group (161.6 min) compared to the early group (211.3 min, P = .001). Both cohorts had similar EOR (early group 84.6% vs late group 85.5%, P = .846) and postoperative outcomes. The learning curve showed that it took 54 cases to achieve operative proficiency with the 3-handed technique. Multivariate modeling suggested that prior resections and preoperative tumor size are important predictors for EOR. CONCLUSION: We describe a 3-hand, mononostril endoscopic transsphenoidal technique performed by a single neurosurgeon that has minimal anatomic distortion and postoperative complications. During the learning curve of this technique, operative time can significantly decrease, while EOR, postoperative outcomes, and complications are not jeopardized.

Esofagotomía y cierre primario por cuerpo extraño en esófago superior / Esophagotomy and primary closure due to foreign body in the upper esophagus

RESUMEN Los cuerpos extraños en el esófago son un problema frecuente en urgencias, debido la mayoría de las veces a ingestión accidental. Presentamos el caso de una paciente femenina de 50 años, sin antecedentes patológicos, que consulta por presentar la ingesta de prótesis dental mientras almorzaba, con posterior disfagia, odinofagia y dolor cervical. Se le realizan radiografías y tomografía computarizada (TC) donde se evidencia imagen radiopaca en esófago cervical. Se interconsulta con el Servicio de Gastroenterología, dada la imposibilidad de extracción de la prótesis por vía endoscópica. Se realiza luego cervicotomía lateral izquierda de emergencia, con esofagotomía, extracción del cuerpo extraño y cierre primario del esófago. La obstrucción del esófago por cuerpos extraños puede ocasionar muchas complicaciones. La consecuente demora en el tratamiento puede llevar a un marcado aumento de la mortalidad. Por eso, en este caso, se prioriza la cirugía ante un riesgo elevado de perforación y hemorragia.

ABSTRACT Esophageal foreign bodies are a common problem in the emergency department, usually due to accidental ingestion. We report the case of a 50-year-old otherwise healthy female patient who sought medical care due to dysphagia, odynophagia and cervical pain after swallowing a partial denture while having lunch. The patient underwent X-rays and a computed tomography (CT) scan which showed a radiopaque image in the upper esophagus. After a failed attempt to remove the denture through endoscopy, surgery was decided via a left lateral emergency cervicotomy with esophagotomy, foreign body removal and primary closure of the esophagus. Esophageal obstruction due to foreign bodies may cause many complications. Treatment delays may result in increased mortality. Thus, in this case we prioritized surgery due to high risk of perforation and bleeding.

Closure of a contained open abdomen using a bipedicled myofascial oblique rectus abdominis flap technique.

A contained open abdomen is commonly used during damage control laparotomy and consists of the temporary coverage of the abdomen for protection of the viscera and reduction of intra-abdominal pressure. Definitive closure of a contained open abdomen is technically difficult due to the inability to obtain primary fascial suture. The insertion of a prosthetic mesh can be complicated with enterocutaneous fistula, and other definitive closure techniques need several surgical procedures. We describe a low cost technique that allows definitive closure of large abdominal wall defects avoiding the risk of intestinal fistula.

Ruptured femoropopliteal artery aneurysms in von Recklinghausen neurofibromatosis.

A 38-year-old woman with neurofibromatosis type 1 was referred for massive swelling of the left thigh, pain, and anemia. Angiography demonstrated three saccular aneurysms of the femoropopliteal artery. The largest measured 3 cm in diameter. Resection of the aneurysms and femoropopliteal interposition grafting using reversed saphenous vein was performed through a medial surgical approach. Arterial involvement in neurofibromatosis is a well known but infrequent occurrence. Stenotic lesions predominate. Aneurysmal defects are less common, and rupture of peripheral arteries is exceptional. Neurofibromatous invasion and dysplasia of the tunica media of the femoropopliteal vessel were confirmed by means of pathologic study. We think this is the second reported case of a femoropopliteal artery aneurysm and rupture associated with neurofibromatosis.