Academic literature on the topic 'Surgical wound infections Risk assessment Statistical methods'

Objective A quality improvement initiative was employed to decrease single institution surgical site infection rate in open lower extremity revascularization procedures. Summary background data: In an attempt to lower patient morbidity, we developed and implemented the Preventative Surgical Site Infection Protocol in Vascular Surgery. Surgical site infections lead to prolonged hospital stays, adjunctive procedure, and additive costs. We employed targeted interventions to address the common risk factors that predispose patients to post-operative complications. Methods Retrospective review was performed between 2012 and 2016 for all surgical site infections after revascularization procedures of the lower extremity. A quality improvement protocol was initiated in January 2015. Primary outcome was the assessment of surgical site infection rate reduction in the pre-protocol vs. post-protocol era. Secondary outcomes evaluated patient demographics, closure method, perioperative antibiotic coverage, and management outcomes. Results Implementation of the protocol decreased the surgical site infection rate from 6.4% to 1.6% p = 0.0137). Patient demographics and comorbidities were assessed and failed to demonstrate a statistically significant difference among the infection and no-infection groups. Wound closure with monocryl suture vs. staple proved to be associated with decreased surgical site infection rate ( p < 0.005). Conclusions Preventative measures, in the form of a standardized protocol, to decrease surgical site infections in the vascular surgery population are effective and necessary. Our data suggest that there may be benefit in the incorporation of MRSA and Gram-negative coverage as part of the Surgical Care Improvement Project perioperative guidelines.

Abstract Background Double anaerobic coverage (DAC) is often used for intra-abdominal infections (IAIs) post-operatively. The primary objective of the study was evaluating length of hospital stay (LOS), in-hospital post-operative complications, and re-admission within 30 days of discharge due to post-operative complications in patients who received piperacillin/tazobactam plus metronidazole versus piperacillin/tazobactam for IAIs post-operatively. The secondary objective was comparing in-hospital mortality and hospital-acquired Clostridioides difficile infections (CDI) between the two groups. Methods This was a retrospective, cohort study including adults with surgically managed IAIs at an urban community hospital between January 1, 2016 and June 30, 2019. The following data were collected: age, sex, body mass index, comorbidities, Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), 5-day post-operative body temperature, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) pre-operative assessment score, surgical wound classification, and IAI diagnosis. Multivariate analysis and aggregate resampling of the sampling distribution were conducted. An alpha of &lt; 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results Out of 163 patients, 96 patients received piperacillin/tazobactam plus metronidazole and 67 patients received piperacillin/tazobactam. The patients who received DAC were sicker with higher CCI (p=0.021) and 5-day post-operative body temperature (p=0.013). They were also at a higher risk for surgical site infections (p=0.002). Double anaerobic coverage was more often used for acute cholecystitis (p=0.0001) and gastrointestinal perforations (&lt; 0.0001). After adjusting for these variables, DAC was associated with longer LOS (median 9 days vs. 4 days, p&lt; 0.0001) and in-hospital post-operative complications (23% vs. 9%, p&lt; 0.0001). There were more re-admissions within 30 days of discharge due to post-operative complications in the single anaerobic coverage group (4% vs. 1%, p=&lt; 0.0001). In-hospital mortality (4% vs. 0%) and hospital-acquired CDI (1% vs. 0%) were only observed in DAC group. Conclusion Double anaerobic coverage was associated with no clinical benefit in surgically managed IAIs and in some cases may produce worse outcomes. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

Introduction: The increasing life expectancy and the proportion of octogenarians make radical cystectomy (RC) more frequent in octogenarian patients with muscle invasive bladder cancer. Objective: To analyze overall survival and complications in our series. Material and Methods: Descriptive analysis of patients older than 80 years undergoing RC between 2000 and 2012. Surgical risk (American Society of Anesthesiologists scale, ASA), hospital stay, complications (Clavien-Dindo classification) and types of urinary diversion were evaluated. Variables were expressed in mean or medians. Overall survival was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Univariate overall survival analysis was performed using the univariate Cox regression model. The null hypothesis was rejected by a type I error <0.05. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 15.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, Ill., USA). Results: Thirty-three patients were included. Their mean age was 81.9 ± 1.8 years. There were 24 males (72.7%). The surgical risk was identified as follows: ASA II in 9 patients (27.3%), ASA III in 23 (69.7%) and ASA IV in 1 (3%). Concerning urinary diversion, 19 patients (57.6%) underwent ureteroileostomy and 14 (42.4%) bilateral cutaneous ureterostomy. Average hospital length of stay was 19 days (14-30). TNM stage was T0 in 1 patient (3%), T1 in 4 (12.1%), T2 in 11 (33.3%), T3 in 13 (39.4%), T4 in 4 (12.1%), Nx in 9 (12%), N0 in 13 (39.4%), N1 in 3 (9.1%), and N2 in 5 (15.2%). The most frequent complications were pneumonia in 6 patients (18.2%) and surgical wound infection in 6 (18.2%). Lymphadenectomy did not involve a significant increase in complications. Six patients (18.2%) died in the immediate postoperative period, 5 of whom from respiratory complications. The mean survival of the rest of the series was 24 months (range 15.1-32.8). Conclusions: Overall assessment of the patient is essential and not only the chronological age. RC is a valid option despite chronological age. In the postoperative period, there is a higher risk of complications but not higher mortality due to surgical complications.

Objective: Various surveillance methods have been described for surveillance of surgical site infections (SSI). The aim of this study was to examine prac- ticality of SSI risk assessment methods (SENIC and NNIS) with a postoperative wound monitoring scale (ASEPSIS) as an outcome assessment measure and evaluation of the contribution of wound assesment to the reduction of wound infection. Material and Methods: Patients were followed with a prospective data chart through four year. Correlation of SENIC and NNIS together with ASEPSIS were performed. Results: During the study period, 275 SSI occurred. SSIs were determined within the 21 days-period after operations. Correlation between SENIC with ASEPSIS (rs= 0.41, p< 0.001) was found better than that for NNIS with ASEPSIS (rs= 0.37, p< 0.001). Type of operation (emergency vs. elective), body mass index, operation class and American Society of Anesthesiologists scores were found independently predictive factors for SSI. The forth year SSI rate was found to be significantly lower than the other years (p< 0.001). Conclusion: This study indicates weak but significant correlation between preoperative risk assessment methods for SSI and ASEPSIS method. In addi- tion, surgical wound assesment and awarness of the wound infection rates, have decreased the SSI rates over the years.

Abstract Introduction Pediatric burn patients are at high nutritional risk given disease burden and its impact on body reserves. As part of our global mission, we care for children who arrive late after their injury, often with malnutrition. In our experience, these patients have greater susceptibility to infection, poor wound healing, and longer lengths of stay. In accordance, we implemented strategies to improve outcomes in this population including a sustained period of nutritional optimization prior to surgery. The purpose of this study was to describe the frequency of malnutrition in our hospital and to compare clinical outcomes between malnourished (MN) and well-nourished patients (WN) using this approach. Methods An IRB approved retrospective review of pediatric burn patients at our institution from 2010–2018 who received nutritional support (enteral and/or parenteral nutrition) for at least five days was conducted. Data collection included general demographics, anthropometrics, nutritional intake, nutrition related labs, and clinical outcome variables such as length of stay (LOS), and days to wound closure. Using a case-control design, malnourished patients were matched (by age and burn size) to their well-nourished counterparts. Differences in nutritional status and clinical outcome were compared by student’s t test. Results A total of 174 patients, 7.02 ± 5.19 years of age with 39.18 ± 18.31% total body surface area (TBSA) burns were included in the study. Thirty percent of all patients classified as malnourished based upon body mass index (BMI) or weight/length z-scores, visual assessment and/or reported weight loss. On admission, malnourished patients had significantly lower BMI z scores (MN -2.5 vs. WN 0.8, p&lt; 0.0001). Despite significant differences in days post burn admission (MN 97.9 days, WN 17.7 days, p=0.028); there was no statistical difference in days to 95% wound closure (MN 39.4, WN 38.2 days, p=0.85) or LOS (MN 56.5, WN 52.5 days p=0.63) between the two groups. Average intake of malnourished patients over the first four weeks of admission ranged between 92–116% of calorie goal and 96–109% protein goal.Nutrition related lab value averages for MN patients improved over the four week time frame, Prealbumin (mg/dl) (week one 9.6, week four 17.75), C-reactive protein (mg/L) (week one 92.3, week four 71.91), and Albumin (g/dl) (week one 2.64, week four 3.32). Conclusions Despite arriving significantly malnourished, our pediatric burn patients had similar outcomes to their well-nourished counterparts in terms of LOS and 95% wound closure. This can be attributed to prompt identification of those patients at risk, and use of refeeding and nutritional rehabilitation protocols prior to surgical intervention. Applicability of Research to Practice Effective protocols for the management of malnourished pediatric burn patients can negate the impact of malnutrition on clinical outcomes.

Objectives: The objective of this study is to determine the frequency ofpost-caesarean SSI and determine the frequency of factors leading to post-caesarean SSI.Study design: Descriptive case series. Setting and duration: Department of Obstetrics &Gynaecology, District Headquarters Teaching hospital, Rawalpindi from June 2015 to Nov2015. Materials and methods: Through non-probability consecutive sampling, 180 patientswho have undergone caesarean section who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were enrolled in thestudy. The data was collected manually on a formatted proforma. All patients suspected ofhaving SSI within 30 days of CS were identified for any pre-operative factors leading to theirSSI. Suspected SSI was confirmed by Culture testing of wound swabs, prior to commencementof an antibiotic treatment or as soon as the diagnosis was suspected. Data was analyzed usingSPSS version 20. Results: Of the 180 patients, 8 suffered from SSI (4.4%). The average agefor the patients was 25.42±3.68 years. The operations were elective in 38.9% of the cases and61.1% were urgent. On data analysis, Diabetes, Anaemia and emergency CS were significantlyassociated with SSI with a p-value less than 0.05. Conclusion: SSI continues to be a significantpost-operative complication. A thorough assessment of risk factors that predispose to SSI andtheir prevention may help in reduction of SSI rates. We recommend that above mentionedfactors to be taken into consideration before planning obstetrical surgeries. Prevention of theseinfections should be a clinical and public health priority.

Aim. To assess the surgical risk in HIV-infected patients who received the surgical treatment within the penitentiary system of Kemerovo Region.Materials and Methods. We retrospectively analysed the physical status and the extent of surgical risk in 296 HIV-infected patients who underwent elective (n = 201) or emergency (n = 95) surgery in Hospital №1 (Kemerovo) from 2015 to 2018. Physical status was assessed according to American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Physical Status Classification System. Surgical risk was scored according to Moscow Scientific Society of Anesthesiologists and Critical Care.Results. The majority of patients had 3 (48.4 and 36.3% in emergency and elective patients, respectively) or 4a (30.5 and 45.8% in emergency and elective patients, respectively) stages of HIV infection. Opportunistic infections were diagnosed in 49.3% of patients and were always accompanied by superficial mycoses. Physical status of most patients (47.4% and 63.7% in emergency and elective patients, respectively) corresponded to ASA physical status class 3. Emergency patients mainly had surgical risk class 3 (n = 50, 52.6%) while elective patients often had surgical risk class 2 (n = 106, 52.7%). The prevalence of postoperative complications, most often impaired wound healing, was 9.8%.Conclusion. More than 80% of HIV-infected patients who underwent surgical interventions within the penitentiary system of Kuzbass were at III or IV stages of HIV infection, entailing a high frequency of opportunistic diseases such as superficial mycoses and dictating the need to include antifungal treatment into the surgical treatment. Impaired wound healing was the most frequent postoperative complication.

Background: An incision inside the umbilicus is popular used in single port surgery intra-umbilical skin incision surgeries have been proven efficient and safe. When compared to infra-umbilical skin incisions, an incision wound was invisible after the operation. Why not use intra-umbilical skin incision in postpartum tubal sterilization. Objective: To compare aesthetic scores of an incision wound, surgical time and complications in postpartum sterilization under infra-umbilical and intra-umbilical skin incision. Methods: This was a randomized controlled trial conducted in Prapokkhlo Hospital, Chanthaburi, Thailand. Patients (n = 58) with informed consents were randomly assigned to one of the two skin incision techniques for postpartum sterilization (n = 29 for each arm). Surgical times were recorded. Both the patients and an independent physician made wound aesthetic assessments one week after the operation using the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scores (POSAS), which compares the wound to the nearby skin. T tests and exact probability statistical tests were used for statistical analysis. Results: The surgeon’s POSAS scores in intra-umbilical incisions were significantly closer to normal skin than those in infra-umbilical incisions (6.8 ± 1.5 vs 12.5 ± 5.0; P < .001). A similar finding was observed for patient POSAS scores (6.5 ± 1.2 vs 15.4 ± 5.0; P < .001). The operation times were also shorter (9.1 ± 2.8 vs 11.8 ± 4.7 minutes; P = .009). Neither intra-abdominal injuries nor wound infections were observed. Conclusions: Postpartum sterilization using intra-umbilical skin incision was more efficient in regard to aesthetic concerns and operation time.

ABSTRACT Introduction During Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, an outbreak of combat-related invasive fungal wound infections (IFIs) emerged among casualties with dismounted blast trauma and became a priority issue for the Military Health System. Methods In 2011, the Trauma Infectious Disease Outcomes Study (TIDOS) team led the Department of Defense IFI outbreak investigation to describe characteristics of IFIs among combat casualties and provide recommendations related to management of the disease. To support the outbreak investigation, existing IFI definitions and classifications utilized for immunocompromised patients were modified for use in epidemiologic research in a trauma population. Following the conclusion of the outbreak investigation, multiple retrospective analyses using a population of 77 IFI patients (injured during June 2009 to August 2011) were conducted to evaluate IFI epidemiology, wound microbiology, and diagnostics to support refinement of Joint Trauma System (JTS) clinical practice guidelines. Following cessation of combat operations in Afghanistan, the TIDOS database was comprehensively reviewed to identify patients with laboratory evidence of a fungal infection and refine the IFI classification scheme to incorporate timing of laboratory fungal evidence and include categories that denote a high or low level of suspicion for IFI. The refined IFI classification scheme was utilized in a large-scale epidemiologic assessment of casualties injured over a 5.5-year period. Results Among 720 combat casualties admitted to participating hospitals (2009-2014) who had histopathology and/or wound cultures collected, 94 (13%) met criteria for an IFI and 61 (8%) were classified as high suspicion of IFI. Risk factors for development of combat-related IFIs include sustaining a dismounted blast injury, experiencing a traumatic transfemoral amputation, and requiring resuscitation with large-volume (&gt;20 units) blood transfusions. Moreover, TIDOS analyses demonstrated the adverse impact of IFIs on wound healing, particularly with order Mucorales. A polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based assay to identify filamentous fungi and support earlier IFI diagnosis was also assessed using archived formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue specimens. Although the PCR-based assay had high specificity (99%), there was low sensitivity (63%); however, sensitivity improved to 83% in tissues collected from sites with angioinvasion. Data obtained from the initial IFI outbreak investigation (37 IFI patients) and subsequent TIDOS analyses (77 IFI patients) supported development and refinement of a JTS clinical practice guideline for the management of IFIs in war wounds. Furthermore, a local clinical practice guideline to screen for early tissue-based evidence of IFIs among blast casualties at the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center was critically evaluated through a TIDOS investigation, providing additional clinical practice support. Through a collaboration with the Uniformed Services University Surgical Critical Care Initiative, findings from TIDOS analyses were used to support development of a clinical decision support tool to facilitate early risk stratification. Conclusions Combat-related IFIs are a highly morbid complication following severe blast trauma and remain a threat for future modern warfare. Our findings have supported JTS clinical recommendations, refined IFI classification, and confirmed the utility of PCR-based assays as a complement to histopathology and/or culture to promote early diagnosis. Analyses underway or planned will add to the knowledge base of IFI epidemiology, diagnostics, prevention, and management.

Abstract BACKGROUND Use of a closed-incisional negative pressure therapy (ci-NPT) dressing is an emerging strategy to reduce surgical site infections (SSIs) in spine surgery that lacks robust data. OBJECTIVE To determine the impact of a ci-NPT, as compared with a standard dressing, on the development of SSIs after spine surgery. METHODS This was a prospective observational study over a 2-yr period. Indications for surgery included degenerative disease, deformity, malignancy, and trauma. Exclusion criteria included anterior and lateral approaches to the spine, intraoperative durotomy, or use of minimally invasive techniques. SSIs up to 60 d following surgery were recorded. RESULTS A total of 274 patients were included. SSI rate was significantly lower with ci-NPT dressing (n = 118) as compared with the standard dressing (n = 156) (3.4 vs 10.9%, P = .02). There was no statistical difference in infection rate for decompression alone procedures (4.2 vs 9.1%, P = .63), but there was a statistically significant reduction with the use of a negative-pressure dressing in cases that required instrumentation (3.2 vs 11.4%, P = .03). Patients at higher risk (instrumentation, deformity, and malignancy) had less SSIs with the use of ci-NPT, although this did not reach statistical significance. There were no complications in either group. CONCLUSION SSI rates were significantly reduced with a ci-NPT dressing vs a standard dressing in patients who underwent spinal surgery. The higher cost of a ci-NPT dressing might be justified with instrumented cases, as well as with certain high-risk patient populations undergoing spine surgery, given the serious consequences of an infection.