Mortality related to drug-resistant organisms in surgical sepsis-3: an 8-year time trend study using sequential organ failure assessment scores.

The difference in sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) scores from the baseline to sepsis is a known predictor of sepsis-3 outcome, but the prognostic value of drug-resistant organisms for mortality is unexplained. We employed sepsis stewardship and herein report an observational study. Study subjects were patients admitted to the Departments of Surgery/Chest Surgery from 2011 through 2018 with a diagnosis of sepsis and a SOFA score of 2 or more. Our sepsis stewardship methods included antimicrobial and diagnostic stewardship and infection control. We determined the primary endpoint as in-hospital death and the secondary endpoint as the annual trend of the risk-adjusted mortality ratio (RAMR). For mortality, we performed logistic regression analysis based on SOFA score, age, sex, comorbid disease, and the presence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and extended-spectrum beta-lactamase inhibitor-producing bacteria. In a total of 457 patients, two factors were significant predictors for fatality, i.e., SOFA score of 9 or more with an odds ratio (OR) 4.921 and 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.968-12.302 (P = 0.001) and presence of MRSA with an OR 1.83 and 95% CI 1.003-3.338 (P = 0.049). RAMR showed a decrease during the study years (P < 0.05). Early detection of MRSA may help patients survive surgical sepsis-3. Thus, MRSA-oriented diagnosis may play a role in expediting treatment with anti-MRSA antimicrobials.

Manometric evidence of earlier recovery of fasting gastric motility after antecolic duodenojejunostomy than after retrocolic duodenojejunostomy following PPPD.

BACKGROUNDS/AIMS: Gastric stasis is a unique complication of pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy (PPPD). Although some studies reported less prevalence of gastric stasis after antecolic duodenojejunostomy, there have been no reports on detailed comparison of gastric motility after antecolic vs. retrocolic duodenojejunostomy after PPPD. METHODOLOGY: Thirty-six patients underwent PPPD with the modified Child reconstruction. Retrocolic duodenojejunostomy was utilized in initial 13 patients (retrocolic group). For comparison, antecolic duodenojejunostomy was employed in subsequent 23 patients (antecolic group). A manometric tube assembly was inserted into the gastric antrum and jejunum during PPPD. Gastrointestinal motility was recorded for 3 hours a day, starting on 6 to 14 days after surgery and repeated at a weekly interval until the first appearance of phase 3 gastric motility. Various clinical parameters were also assessed. RESULTS: Recovery of gastric phase 3 was identified in 19 of 36 patients. Recovery of phase 3 was faster in antecolic group than in retrocolic group (p<0.01). The amount of the gastric juice output during 14 postoperative days was larger in retrocolic group than in antecolic group (p<0.01). Resumption of water intake and food intake was earlier and the length of intravenous hyperalimentation and hospital stay was shorter in antecolic group than in retrocolic group (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Antecolic duodenojejunostomy contributes to early recovery of gastric phase 3 motility in patients after PPPD, leading to prevention of early gastric stasis.

Does antimicrobial homogeneity index influence surgical site infection? A 10-year study in lung, breast, and general surgery.

To address whether hospital antimicrobial use influences surgical site infection (SSI), we investigated factors including antimicrobial homogeneity index (AHI), an indicator of prescription diversity, with a retrospective study during 120 months for patients undergoing lung, breast, and general surgery (n = 4,510). We analyzed the odds ratios of background factors for SSI and the correlation between AHI and drug susceptibility in isolates of SSI. A total of 243 cases of SSI (5.4%) occurred. Factors that significantly contributed for SSI were operative time [odds ratio (OR), 1.78; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.33-2.39; P < 0.001], American Society of Anesthesiologists' score (OR, 1.68, 95% CI, 1.23-2.28; P < 0.001), endoscopic use (OR, 0.10, 95% CI, 0.04-0.24; P < 0.001), lung and breast surgery versus general surgery (OR, 0.12, 95% CI, 0.06-0.22; P < 0.001), increased AHI (OR, 0.72, 95% CI, 0.55-0.95; P = 0.020), and older age (OR, 2.08, 95% CI, 1.39-3.11; P < 0.001). AHI showed a positive correlation coefficient (CC, P < 0.05) with susceptibility to ampicillin (CC = +0.327), cefotaxime (CC = +0.142), imipenem/cilastatin (CC = +0.101), and sulbactam/cefoperazone (CC = +0.145). AHI, which has been described to help prevent drug resistance, was associated with increased susceptibility in microbes of SSI. This finding in part may explain that increase in AHI reduced SSI.

Paracecal hernia due to membranous adhesion of the omentum to the right paracolic gutter.

BACKGROUND: Paracecal hernias, also known as pericecal hernias, are an exceptionally rare type of internal hernia. We report a unique case of paracecal hernia due to membranous adhesion of the omentum to the right paracolic gutter. CASE PRESENTATION: An 86-year-old female was admitted to our hospital with vomiting and abdominal pain. Laboratory findings showed a slightly elevated C-reactive protein level. Computed tomography scan showed dilated loops of the small intestine in the right paracolic gutter with medial displacement of the cecum and ascending colon. Internal hernia around the cecum due to postoperative adhesion after appendectomy was suspected, and she underwent emergency laparotomy. Intraoperative findings revealed the adhesion between the omentum and right paracolic gutter forming a cavity with the small intestine incarcerated. No abnormal adhesion in the ileocecal region was seen. We transected the omental adhesion from the orifice to the far end of the cavity near the hepatic flexure of the colon to release strangulation and to prevent recurrence. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 14 without complications. CONCLUSIONS: Paracecal hernias have a type of membranous adhesion of the omentum to the right paracolic gutter. Surgeons should be aware of this paracecal hernia type, when they encounter the internal hernia.

Influence of renal function on clinico-pathological features of primary hyperparathyroidism.

OBJECTIVE: Disturbed renal function may play an important role in the clinico-pathological presentation of primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT). We studied the influence of renal function on the clinico-pathological characteristics of 141 patients (123 women and 18 men) with surgically proven pHPT. METHODS: The 141 patients were assigned to one of two groups based on creatinine clearance (C(cr)) level: a renal insufficiency group (n=37) in which C(cr) of patients was <70 ml/min and a normal renal function group (n=104) in which C(cr) was > or =70 ml/min. Clinical presentation and biochemical indices were evaluated and compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Age, and frequency of hypertension and of diabetes mellitus were significantly (P<0.001, P<0.05 and P<0.05 respectively) higher in the renal insufficiency group than in the normal renal function group. Serum levels of calcium, intact parathyroid hormone and bone Gla protein were significantly (P<0.05) higher and the excised parathyroid weighed significantly more (P<0.05) in the renal insufficiency group than in the normal renal function group; however, serum 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH)(2)D) and 24 h urinary calcium excretion were significantly (P<0.001 and P<0.05 respectively) lower in the former than in the latter group. There was a significant inverse correlation between C(cr) level and serum calcium (r=0.315, P<0.001) and a significant positive correlation between C(cr) level, 1,25(OH)(2)D (r=0.315, P<0.001), and 24 h calcium excretion (r=0.458, P<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Clinico-pathological features of pHPT were notably influenced by even moderate renal insufficiency. Urinary calcium excretion decreased according to the decrease in glomerular filtration rate. Therefore, endocrinologists need to appraise urinary calcium excretion and renal function of pHPT patients when considering surgery or in discriminating familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia.

Single-incision laparoscopic surgery for gallstone ileus: An alternative surgical procedure.

INTRODUCTION: Gallstone ileus (GI) results from the passage of a stone through a cholecystoenteric fistula, subsequently causing a bowel obstruction. The ideal treatment procedure for GI remains controversial. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 63-year-old female was admitted to our hospital following persistent nausea and vomiting for 7 days. Computed tomography revealed a partially calcified 4-cm circular object in the jejunum, and the proximal intestine was dilated, with concomitant pneumobilia. Based on the preoperative diagnosis of GI, enterotomy with stone extraction by single-incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) was performed. The patient's postoperative course was uneventful, and the cholecystoduodenal fistula closed spontaneously 4 months after the surgery. DISCUSSION: Recent studies have reported that enterotomy with stone extraction alone is associated with better outcomes than with more invasive techniques. This case also suggests that enterotomy with stone extraction alone and careful postoperative follow-up is feasible for the management of GI. Although the use of laparoscopy in the management of GI has been described previously, laparoscopic surgery has not been widely performed, and SILS is not generally performed. When only this less demanding procedure is required, laparoscopic surgery, including SILS, can be a viable option. CONCLUSION: SILS can be an alternative surgical procedure for the management of GI.

Complete extirpation of a bronchogenic cyst causing recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy by thoracoscopy: report of a case.

We excised a bronchogenic cyst causing recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy using thoracoscopic surgery. A 28-year-old woman presented after the sudden onset of hoarseness, and laryngoscopic examination showed left vocal cord palsy. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging showed a cystic mass, 4 cm in diameter, in the aortopulmonary window. Thoracoscopic examination revealed that the mass was adhered to the recurrent laryngeal nerve below the aortic arch. We extirpated the cyst via thoracoscopy without any injury to the nerves or major blood vessels. This case illustrates the benefits of thoracoscopic surgery for providing good visualization of the perineural structures and as a safe surgical treatment for a cystic mass in the aortopulmonary window.

Crank-shaped sternotomy for upper mediastinal lymph node dissection in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer.

We describe our modification of the reversed T-shaped sternotomy. The conventional technique consists of a limited upper sternotomy with transverse division of the sternum. Our modification involves shifting the transverse division lines one costal space between the right and left sides for perfect apposition of the divided upper and lower sternum. This technique can be used for patients with thyroid cancer and mediastinal lymph node metastasis and for those with a mediastinal tumor or certain cardiac disorders.