Cases Of Surgical Site Infection Research Articles

Posterior Vault Distraction in the Acute Setting.

Posterior vault distraction osteogenesis (PVDO) has been shown to resolve acute intracranial hypertension (AIH) while carrying an acceptable perioperative morbidity profile. PVDO has been associated with symptomatic improvement and fewer surgeries in those requiring ventriculoperitoneal shunts. The authors' experience using PVDO as an acute intervention is presented, demonstrating its safety and efficacy for management of AIH. Four cases of children with craniosynostosis that underwent PVDO in the acute setting are outlined. All patients presented with papilledema and symptoms of AIH. One patient with slit ventricle syndrome (SVS) presented with a nonfunctioning shunt following multiple shunt revisions. No intraoperative complications during distractor placement or removal were reported. Distraction protocol for all patients began on postoperative day 1 at 1-2 mm per day, resulting in an average total distraction of 30.25 mm. For the 3 cases with no shunt, the average length of stay was 7 days. As part of the planned treatment course, the patient with SVS required externalization of the shunt during distraction followed by early distractor removal and planned shunt replacement. One case of surgical site infection (in an immunocompromised patient) required premature distractor removal during the consolidation period. Computed tomography (CT) in all patients indicated increased intracranial volume following distraction, and symptomatic improvement was reported. Six-month follow-up showed resolution of papilledema in all patients. The authors' experience using PVDO in the acute setting is reported, alongside a review of current literature, in order to provide supporting evidence for the efficacy of PVDO as a tool for resolving AIH.

A case of surgical site infection with severe spondylitis caused by Streptococcus gordonii in an adult healthy woman: how to apply medico-legal method to deny malpractice hypothesis in suspected healthcare-associated infection.

We describe a rare case of severe primary spondylitis caused by Streptococcus gordonii in a 45-year-old immunocompetent woman with no relevant comorbidities. The surgical site infection arose after a L4-L5 microdiscectomy and resulted in severe clinical disability. Allegations of possible negligence as the cause prompted a forensic review to clarify the original source and transmission of this uncommon pathogen, which dismissed its cause as due to malpractice during treatment.

Abdominal Etching with Renuvion Helium Plasma

Abstract Goals/Purpose Differential liposuction with abdominal etching is a powerful technique in high definition liposculpture to achieve an athletic aesthetic. Etching is performed in a superficial plane to create indentures mirroring the dermal-fascial inscriptions of the underlying desired musculature. Renuvion radiofrequency-helium plasma energy (Apyx Medical, Clearwater, FL) is an emerging technology that is used for subdermal coagulation and contraction of the subcutaneous tissue. This case series describes combination of differential liposuction with abdominal etching and Renuvion helium plasma subdermal coagulation in 68 patients and evaluates the outcomes. Methods/Technique A retrospective chart review of 68 patients undergoing differential liposuction with abdominal etching and Renuvion helium plasma subdermal coagulation between 2021 to 2023 by the senior author. The preoperative evaluation, markings, surgical technique and postoperative care are discussed. Clinical parameters assessed include age, gender, body mass index, combination of procedures, volume of lipoaspirate, degree of etching (light, moderate, deep), postoperative changes in weight, and complications such as contour irregularity, wound dehiscence, seroma, surgical site infection, patient dissatisfaction and operative revision. Results/Complications 68 consecutive patients who underwent abdominal etching with Renuvion by the senior author between July 2021 and August 2023 were included in this case series. There were 29 males (43%) and 39 females (57%). The average age of the patients was 39.11 (range, 22 to 64 years), with a non obese, average body mass index of 27.65 kg/m2 (range, 20.8 to 33.9 kg/m2). The average estimated intraoperative blood loss of patients was 104.68 ml (range, 75 to 150 ml); with an average tumescence of 4600 ml (range, 1400 to 8000 ml). The average lipoaspirate was 3920 ml (range, 500 to 9000 ml). In addition to the abdominal region, other areas liposuctioned at the time of etching included flanks (68, 100%), back (66, 97.05%), thighs (14, 20.58%), arms (9, 13.23%), neck (9, 13.23%), chest (8, 11.76%), axilla (3, 4.41%), calves (1, 1.47%). Use of ultrasound was used in 6 cases (8.82%), which were revisionary liposuction. Of our 68 abdominal etching with Renuvion cases the most common combined procedure was autologous fat transfer (20, 29.41%), platysmaplasty (4, 5.88%), mastopexy (5, 8%), breast augmentation (4, 5.88%), buccal fat pad excision (3, 4.41%), umbilical hernia repair (1, 1.47%) and rhytidectomy (1, 1.47%). There were 5 cases of seroma (7.35%) and 4 cases of contour irregularity (5.88%). There were 3 cases of surgical site infection (4.41%), but all in the area of fat grafting and not in the area of liposculpture. No cases of hyperpigmentation were identified. No major complications occurred including skin burns, skin necrosis, visceral injury, deep vein thrombosis, or pulmonary embolism. Overall 66 patients (97.05%) were satisfied following their procedure. Operative revision occurred in two patients (2.94%), who had residual skin laxity following Renuvion and desired skin excision. Conclusion Differential liposuction with abdominal etching and Renuvion helium plasma are safe and effective in combination to synergistically achieve an athletic physique and enhance abdominal aesthetics. Complication rates are low with appropriate surgical technique. Almost all patients reviewed were satisfied with the procedure and maintained long-term results.

Functional outcomes in intradural extramedullary spinal tumors.

Intradural extramedullary (IDEM) spinal cord tumors account for approximately two-thirds of benign intraspinal neoplasms. These are amenable to gross total excision but can have variable functional outcomes, which plays a key role in assessing their impact on a patient's quality of life. Understanding the functional outcomes associated with these tumors is crucial for healthcare professionals to devise appropriate treatment plans and provide comprehensive care. In this study, we retrospectively reviewed the outcomes of 130 patients with IDEM tumors who underwent surgery in the past six years between January 2017 and December 2022 at a single institution. Patient demographics, symptoms, and tumor characteristics (anatomical and pathological) in all operated spinal IDEM tumors were analyzed. The neurological findings obtained during the preoperative stage and the postoperative follow-up were evaluated according to the Frankel grading. The back pain was assessed using the Denis pain scale (DPS). The age range, gender distribution, presentation, histopathology, and tumor characteristics were analyzed. The histopathological outcomes of the study were as follows: 56 cases of schwannoma, 37 cases of meningiomas, 16 patients of neurofibroma, six cases of epidermoid cyst, five cases each of ependymoma and dermoid cyst, three cases of arachnoid cyst, two cases of metastasis, and one case of paraganglioma. Pain was the most common symptom (38.5%), followed by weakness in limbs (31.5%), paresthesia/numbness (22.3%), and sphincter disturbance (7.7%). Complete total resection was seen in 93% of cases, with 7% undergoing subtotal excision. The complications encountered were - four cases of surgical site infection and one case each of cerebrospinal fluid leak, pseudomeningocele, and epidural hematoma. In our series, 49.3% of patients had significantly good improvement in functional outcomes as per improvement in Frankel score, and 43% of patients had good functional improvement. Significant functional improvement was noted at immediate postoperative follow-up, 2-week follow-up, and six-month follow-up periods. Reoccurrence was seen in 7 cases (5.4%). The DPS score mean values showed a significant decrease over the follow-up duration as compared to preoperative mean values. Significantly poor outcome was seen in IDEM tumours present anteriorly. The IDEM tumors are usually benign and are readily detected by contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging scans. These have variable functional outcomes in different centers. Assessing this functional outcome is an essential aspect of managing IDEM spinal tumors. It was observed through our study that the ventral location of the tumor, thoracic tumors, and poor preoperative neurological status of the patient correspond with poorer postoperative functional outcomes. Furthermore, a significant decrease in the pain symptoms with improvement of Frankel score was seen postoperatively, thus this being suggestive of a significant improvement of functional outcome after surgery. This study helps to conclude that the morbidity associated with the resection of IDEM tumors is not as significant as originally thought to be.

Costs and resource utilization patterns in surgical site infections: a pre-COVID-19 perspective from France, Germany, Spain, and the UK

Surgical site infections (SSI), mainly caused by Staphylococcus aureus, pose a significant economic burden in Europe, leading to increased hospitalization duration, mortality, and treatment costs, particularly with drug-resistant strains like meticillin-resistant S. aureus. We conducted a case-control study on the economic impact of S. aureus SSI in adult surgical patients across high-volume centres in France, Germany, Spain, and the UK, aiming to assess the overall and procedure-specific burden across Europe. The SALT study is a multinational, retrospective cohort study with a nested case-control analysis focused on S. aureus SSI in Europe. The study included participants from France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK who underwent invasive surgery in 2016 and employed a micro-costing approach to evaluate health economic factors, matching S. aureus SSI cases with controls. In 2016, among 178,904 surgical patients in five European countries, 764 developed S. aureus SSI. Matching 744 cases to controls, the study revealed that S. aureus SSI cases incurred higher immediate hospitalization costs (€8,810), compared to controls (€6,032). Additionally, S. aureus SSI cases exhibited increased costs for readmissions within the first-year post-surgery (€7,961.6 versus €5,298.6), with significant differences observed. Factors associated with increased surgery-related costs included the cost of hospitalization immediately after surgery, first ICU admission within 12 months, and hospital readmission within 12 months, as identified through multivariable analysis. The higher rates of hospitalization, ICU admissions, and readmissions among S. aureus SSI cases highlight the severity of these infections and their impact on healthcare costs, emphasizing the potential benefits of evidence-based infection control measures and improved patient care to mitigate the economic burden.

Antibioprophylaxis in the General Surgery Department of the Commune 1 Reference Health Center in the District of Bamako

The aim of our study was to investigate antibiotic prophylaxis in the general surgery department of the C I commune referral health centre. This was a 12-month prospective study from 01 February 2021 to 31 January 2022 on antibiotic prophylaxis in general surgery. 129 patients were selected according to our inclusion criteria (patients who had received ceftriaxone at the time of anaesthetic induction. Patients belonging to Altemeier class I (clean surgery) with an infectious risk of estimated at 2 by the NNISS score and Altemeier class II (contaminated clean surgery). The antibiotic used was ceftriaz (ceftriaxone). The dose was two (2) grams. A single dose was given at the time of anaesthetic induction. The intravenous route was used exclusively. Patients underwent constant clinical monitoring. We had four (4) cases of surgical site infection (3.1%). The average post-operative hospital stay was two (2) days. Analysis of our results enabled us to identify a number of infectious risk factors: type of surgery, ASA score, emergency, anaemia and blood glucose level. Among the germs isolated, Escherichia coli was the most frequent (50%).

Does Intrawound Vancomycin Decrease Postoperative Surgical Site Infection in Spine Surgery: A Retrospective Case-control Study.

Retrospective Case-Control series. The objective of this study is to define the overall postoperative rate of surgical site infection (SSI) in patients undergoing spine surgery and examine the effects of intrawound Vancomycin on postoperative infection rates. Surgical site infections (SSI) account for 22% of all health care-associated infections. The use of intrawound Vancomycin in an attempt to reduce the incidence of postoperative SSI has not been sufficiently evaluated in the existing literature. All spine surgeries (n=19,081) from our institution were reviewed from 2003 to 2013. All cases of verified SSI were identified from the database. Cases were then matched to controls in a 1:1 fashion based on age, gender, and date of surgery (+/-30d). Patient demographics, comorbidities, estimated blood loss, duration of surgery, intrawound administration of Vancomycin, and smoking status were evaluated. At total of 316 cases of SSI after spine surgery were identified, representing an infection rate of 1.7%. The mean follow-up for cases and controls was 31.5 and 41.6 months, respectively. OR for intrawound Vancomycin was 0.44 (95% CI 0.23-0.88, P=0.019). OR for BMI greater than 30 was 1.63 (95% CI 1.04-2.56, P=0.03). In this large cohort of spine surgery patients, administration of intrawound Vancomycin was associated with a significant reduction in postoperative surgical site infections. Further studies are needed to determine appropriate dosing and application as well as long-term safety in spine surgery.

Surgical Site Infection in the General Surgery Department of the Commune I Reference Health Center of Bamako

Objective: To study surgical site infections in the general surgery department of the CSRéf in Commune I of the Bamako district. Method: This was a 12-month prospective descriptive and analytical study from 1er June 2021 to 1er May 2022, including all patients operated on and hospitalised in the department. Results: During the study period, we recorded 80 cases of surgical site infection out of 442 patients included in the study, i.e. an overall total of 18.1%. The mean age of the patients was 32.24 years, with extremes ranging from 1 to 82 years. The rate of SSI was influenced by the surgical indication, the type of anaesthesia, the type of surgery according to the Altemeier classification, whether or not antibiotic prophylaxis and drainage were practised, and the length of postoperative hospitalisation. The majority of surgical site infections were diagnosed within the first 5-10 days postoperatively. Superficial infection was the most common (81%). E coli was the most common germ isolated from the site of infection at 49.15%. Most germs were sensitive to the combination of amoxicillin and clavulanic acid, imipenem and gentamicin.

Efficacy and safety of negative wound pressure in the treatment of surgical complications after radical cystectomy: a retrospective cohort study

Background: Negative pressure wound treatment (NPWT) is a relatively new, but promising method for management of surgical site infection (SSI). The literature data on the use of NPWT for complications in oncology surgery, and after radical cystectomy (RC) in particular, is scarce.
 Aim: To evaluate the short-term results of NPWT dressings in the management of SSI after RC.
 Materials and methods: We retrospectively analyzed data from 446 patients who had RC with various uroderivation types in the Department of Oncourology of the N. N. Petrov National Medical Research Center of Oncology from January 2012 to December 2021. A total of 62 cases of SSI emerging up to day 30 after RC were identified with complete data. Thirty six (36) cases of SSI were managed according to standard procedures, and 26 patients with SSI were treated with NPWT (VivanoTec® S 042) at constant negative pressure mode. The physical condition of the patients before RC was assessed according to the American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) classification, and the severity of the patient's condition at SSI diagnosis within APACHE II scale. The following parameters were also analyzed: body mass index, median number of days in the hospital, number of program wound sanitations (surgical debridement) or frequency of changing NPWT dressings, changes over time in C-reactive protein and leukocyte index of intoxication, and events of clinical interest (intestinal fistulas and lateralization of the median wound margins, hernias).
 Results: Most cases of post-RC SSIs were identified in men (57/62, 91.93%). The standard management and NPWT study groups were well balanced for age, body mass index, and ASA physical status. The median time from the first surgical debridement of the wound to its closure was significantly shorter in the standard surgical management group: 4 days (0; 8.75) versus 8.5 days (3.25; 12.0) in the NPWT group (p = 0.026). However, this did not negatively affect the length of hospitalization (28.08 ± 12.80 and 30.03 ± 16.27 days, respectively, p = 0.599). The 30-day mortality rates were not significantly different between the groups (p = 0.137). In our series with NPWT dressings, there were no cases of intestinal fistulas in the early and late postoperative periods.
 Conclusion: Negative pressure wound treatment is a safe and effective method of SSI management. It is not inferior to the generally accepted treatment standard with surgical wound debridement, staged sanitations or dressings. NPWT dressings allow for early primary muscular-fascial closure of the abdominal cavity and does not increase the duration of hospital stay, postoperative death rates and the risk of intestinal fistulas.

Early mobilization can reduce the incidence of surgical site infections in patients undergoing spinal fusion surgery: A nested case-control study

To examine the influence of the early mobilization on the risk of surgical site infections (SSI) in patients undergoing spinal fusion surgery. The retrospective cohort consisted of all consecutive patients who underwent spinal fusion surgery at our institution. For each case of SSI, two control patients without SSI at the corresponding index date were selected. Mobilization was predefined as "delayed" if it occurred more than 36 hours postoperatively. To account for potential confounding variables, we performed further adjustments using conditional logistic regression models. Subgroup analyses were conducted to evaluate the robustness of the statistical associations. Following the pre-defined statistical protocol and matching criteria, we matched 236 control cases to the SSI cases. Upon adjustment for confounding factors, our findings revealed that the risk of SSI was 120% higher in the group beginning mobilization more than 36 hours after surgery compared to the group beginning mobilization within 36 hours postoperatively (OR=2.206, 95%CI 1.169-4.166, P=0.015). In subgroup analyses, this statistical trend remained consistent. Early mobilization within 36 hours following spinal fusion surgery significantly reduces the risk of SSI. This pattern of reduced risk remains consistent among patients with degenerative diseases or spinal deformities.

Bovine Pericardium Treated with Polyethylene Glycol and Ethanol Versus Pericranium for Duraplasty: A Pilot Study in Supratentorial Neurosurgery

Watertight closure of dura mater after intracranial surgery can avoid cerebrospinal fluid leakage and central nervous system infection and herniation. When primary closure is not possible, the pericranium is the preferential choice. When it is not available, a dural substitute becomes necessary. Bovine pericardium treated with polyethylene glycol and ethanol is herein tested as a dural substitute. A pilot study comparing bovine pericardium with pericranium in supratentorial neurosurgery was performed. Twenty patients were initially allocated into a bovine pericardium group (group 1) or a pericranium group (group 2). Three patients from group 1 and 2 from group 2 had a loss of follow-up, being excluded. In the remaining 15 patients, epidemiological analysis demonstrated a male:female ratio of 3:4 and 4:4 for groups 1 and 2. Ages varied from 28 to 68 (Mean= 49.6) in group 1 and 40-80 (Mean= 61.2) in group 2, with a mean difference of 11.68years (P= 0.09). Two cases of surgical site infection and 1 of hydrocephalus were observed. Although the calculated relative risk for complications was higher in group 1 (Relative Risk= 1.08), Fisher exact test demonstrated no statistically significant difference between groups (P= 1.00). Procedure mean time was 23minutes and 11seconds in group 1 versus 27minutes and 55seconds in group 2 (P= 0.47). Mean graft area was 13.17 and 6.23cm2 in groups 1 and 2 (P= 0.02). Bovine pericardium treated with polyethylene glycol and ethanol was comparable to pericranium as a dural substitute. More studies are encouraged to certify our findings.

Traumatic bilateral acetabular fracture secondary to high-energy trauma in healthy adults

BackgroundBilateral acetabular fracture is a very rare presentation among the trauma patients, as the pattern and the degree of the forces required to fracture both acetabula is very unique. The primary purpose of this study is to report a series of adult patients presenting with post-traumatic bilateral acetabular fracture without any history of pathological or metabolic bone disease.Patients and methodsIn this retrospective study, 18 cases of traumatic bilateral acetabular fracture were included. There was predominance of both column (four patients on left and six on right) followed by anterior column (two patients left and four on right) and posterior wall (three patients left and right). They were treated surgically through open reduction and internal fixation. All cases were followed up for at least 13 months. Matta’s criteria were used for radiological evaluation on plain radiographs. Functional outcome was evaluated using the Merle d’Aubigne and postel score at final follow-up.ResultsNo patients were lost during the follow-up period; there was one case of surgical site infection. There were three cases of postoperative osteoarthritis, one case of heterotrophic ossification, one case of persistent sciatic nerve palsy and one case of lateral femoral cutaneous nerve palsy. The radiological evaluation according to Matta’s criteria revealed anatomic reduction in 12 patients, imperfect reduction in three patients while other three patients had poor reduction. According to modified Merle d’Aubigne and Postel score, 10 cases were rated as excellent, five cases as good and three cases presented fair (one case) to poor (two cases) results.ConclusionWe report an unusual case series of bilateral acetabular fracture successfully managed surgically with good clinical outcome. With the increasing incidence of route traffic accidents, such cases would probably be recurrent in the upcoming years.

Antimicrobial stewardship program for gastrointestinal surgeries at a Vietnamese tertiary hospital.

Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs (ASP) have been applied widely in high-resource countries to prevent surgical site infections (SSI). Evidence favoring ASP interventions (ASPi) in gastrointestinal surgeries from low and middle-income countries has been limited, especially in antimicrobial prophylaxis. We aimed to investigate this gap at a Vietnamese tertiary hospital. We conducted a retrospective cohort study on patients undergoing clean-contaminated surgeries in 2015 who received standard of care (SoC) or SoC + ASPi. Primary outcome was 30-day SSI incidence. Secondary outcomes included length of stay (LoS) after surgery (days), cost of antibiotics, and cost of treatment (USD). Results were controlled for multiplicity and reported with treatment effect and 95% confidence interval (95%CI). A predictive model was built and cross-validated to detect patients at high risk of SSI. We included 395 patients for analysis (48.1% being female, mean age 49.4 years). Compared to patients receiving SoC, those with SoC + ASPi had a lower incidence of 30-day SSI (-8.8, 95%CI: -16.0 to -1.6, p = 0.042), shorter LoS after surgery (-1.1 days, 95%CI: -1.8 to -0.4, p = 0.004), and lower cost of antibiotics (-37.3 USD, 95%CI: -59.8 to -14.8, p = 0.012) and treatment (-191.1 USD, 95%CI: -348.4 to -33.8, p = 0.042). We estimated that by detecting patients at high risk of SSI with the predictive model and providing prophylactic measures, we could save 398120.7 USD per 1,000 cases of SSI. We found that ASPi were associated with a reduction in risks of SSI, hospital stays, and cost of antibiotics/treatment in a Vietnamese tertiary hospital.

Comparative Study of PDA Ligation in the OR versus in the NICU: A 10-Year Retrospective Cohort Study

Objective: This study aimed to compare the outcomes of PDA (patent ductus arteriosus) ligation performed in NICU (neonatal intensive care unit) versus OR (operating room) and identify relevant influencing factors. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective review, spanning a decade (2012-2021) of NICU patients at Siriraj Hospital who underwent PDA ligation, patients were categorized into two groups: OR and NICU. Baseline clinical characteristics, operative details, and postoperative results (including hospital mortality, cause of death, and complications) were collected and analyzed. Results: A total of 118 patients were included, with 52 patients in the OR group and 66 patients in the NICU group. There were no statistically significant differences in postoperative outcomes between the two groups. The hospital mortality rates were 1.9% (1/52) and 10.6% (7/66), respectively (p = 0.08). Post hoc multivariable binary logistic regression analysis further confirmed that the location of PDA ligation was not associated with hospital mortality. However, higher oxygen requirements and lower postmenstrual age (PMA) were found to be independently associated with hospital mortality (OR 1.10, p =0.02 and OR 0.82, p<0.01 respectively). Hypothermia, defined as a body temperature less than 36C, was more prevalent in the OR group (30.8% vs 16.7%, p=0.07). Other postoperative complications were not statistically different between the two groups. Lastly, no case of surgical site infection was observed in the NICU group. Conclusion: PDA ligation can be safely and effectively performed in the NICU with comparable hospital mortality, potentially offering better temperature control, and without an increased risk of complications, including surgical site infection.

Magnitude and Predictors of Post-cesarean Surgical Site Infection in Enugu, Southeast Nigeria

Context: Post-cesarean surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the leading causes of maternal morbidity and mortality. It is speculated that there is an increasing incidence of post-cesarean SSI above that reported value a decade ago, especially as the cesarean section (CS) rate and concern for antibiotics resistance increase in Nigeria. Aim: To determine the incidence and predictors of post-cesarean SSI at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH) Ituku/Ozalla and Enugu State University of Science and Technology Teaching Hospital (ESUT-TH) Parklane, Enugu. Settings and Design: Prospective cohort study comprising 160 consenting pregnant women who consented to have a CS at the UNTH and ESUT-TH. Material and Methods: Eligible patients who consented to elective and emergency CS were included, but those with clinical chorioamnionitis were excluded. Surgery was performed by senior resident phsiciansandconsultantsin OBGYN using similar surgical and postoperative protocols. Participants were followed up until 30 days postdelivery to identify those who developed SSI. Statistical Analysis: Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS software version 20.0 (Armonk, NY). The Chi-square test was used to test the association between qualitative variables, while logistic regression was used to determine the predictors of postoperative SSI. The significance level was established at P < 0.05. Result: The incidence of post-cesarean SSI in this study was 13.7%. Maternal booking body mass index ≥30 and postoperative hemoglobin <11.0 g/dl were predictors of post-cesarean SSI. Of the 22 cases of SSI, superficial, deep, and organ/space SSI contributed 63.6%, 31.8%, and 4.6%, respectively. Conclusions: Post-cesarean SSI is high in the study centers and is predictable by maternal obesity at booking and postoperative anemia.

When is vancomycin prophylaxis necessary? Risk factors for MRSA surgical site infection.

The 2022 SHEA/IDSA/APIC guidance for surgical site infection (SSI) prevention recommends reserving vancomycin prophylaxis to patients who are methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) colonized. Unfortunately, vancomycin prophylaxis remains common due to the overestimation of MRSA risk and the desire to cover MRSA in patients with certain healthcare-associated characteristics. To optimize vancomycin prophylaxis, we sought to identify risk factors for MRSA SSI. This was a single-center, case-control study of patients with a postoperative SSI after undergoing a National Healthcare Safety Network operative procedure over eight years. MRSA SSI cases were compared to non-MRSA SSI controls. Forty-two demographic, medical, and surgical characteristics were evaluated. Of the 441 patients included, 23 developed MRSA SSIs (rate = 5.2 per 100 SSIs). In the multivariable model, we identified two independent risk factors for MRSA SSI: a history of MRSA colonization or infection (OR, 9.0 [95% CI, 1.9-29.6]) and hip or knee replacement surgery (OR, 3.8 [95% CI, 1.3-9.9]). Hemodialysis, previous hospitalization, and prolonged hospitalization prior to the procedure had no measurable association with odds of MRSA SSI. Patients with prior MRSA colonization or infection had 9-10 times greater odds of MRSA SSI and patients undergoing hip and knee replacement had 3-4 times greater odds of MRSA SSI. Healthcare-associated characteristics, such as previous hospitalization or hemodialysis, were not associated with MRSA SSI. Our findings support national recommendations to reserve vancomycin prophylaxis for patients who are MRSA colonized, as well as those undergoing hip and knee replacement, in the absence of routine MRSA colonization surveillance.

Surgical Site Infection Prevention Using "Strike Teams": The Experience of an Academic Colorectal Surgical Department.

Surgical site infections (SSIs) are healthcare-acquired infections with substantial morbidity. Surgical site infection persist because of low adherence to prevention bundles comprising multiple infection control elements. We propose the "Strike Team" as an implementation strategy to improve adherence and reduce SSI in colorectal surgery. At an academic medical center, a multidisciplinary Strike Team met monthly to review colorectal SSI cases, audit and discuss barriers to adherence to SSI prevention bundle, and propose actionable feedback. The latter was shared with frontline clinicians by the Strike Team's surgical leaders in everyday practice. Colorectal SSI rates and bundle adherence data were disseminated quarterly via the hospital intranet and reviewed with surgeons at departmental meetings. Trends in adherence and SSI rates were analyzed by regression analysis using a time series model. While the Strike Team was active, adherence to antibiotic prophylaxis, maintenance of normoglycemia, and standardized intraoperative skin preparation significantly increased (p < .05). There was a trend toward statistically significant reduction in SSI (p = .07), although it was not maintained once the Strike Team activity was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Colorectal SSI prevention requires a resource-intensive, multidisciplinary approach with numerous strategies to improve adherence to infection control bundles, as illustrated by our SSI Strike Team experience.

Optimal time window for initiating cefuroxime surgical antimicrobial prophylaxis in spinal fusion surgery: a nested case-control study

Surgical site infections (SSI) are one of the common complications following spinal fusion surgery. Unfortunately, several studies had shown conflicting results regarding optimal timing of surgical antimicrobial prophylaxis (SAP) administration. Due to limitations in population homogeneity and sample size, these studies have not provided significant statistical correlations or clear practical recommendations. The purpose of the study was to investigate the impact of timing of cefuroxime SAP on the risk of SSI in patients undergoing spinal fusion surgery, and to determine the optimal timing of administration. Retrospective nested case-control study. We retrospectively analyzed consecutive patients who underwent spinal fusion surgery at our institution between October 2011 and October 2021. In the current study, the primary outcome measure was SSI. This was a retrospective nested case-control study. All consecutive patients who underwent spinal fusion surgery at our institution between October 2011 and October 2021 formed a retrospective cohort. For each SSI case, two controls free of SSI at the time of the index date of their corresponding case were selected, matched by age, sex, and calendar year. Electronic record and radiographic data were reviewed retrospectively in electronic database. SAP related data included timing of administration, preoperative dose, intraoperative second dose, and postoperative use. To examine the effects of mismatched variables, we further adjusted for possible confounding factors using conditional logistic regression models. Subsequently, subgroup analyses were conducted to assess the robustness of the statistical associations. According to the pre-planned statistical scheme and matching factors, we matched 236 controls for these SSI cases, and the subsequent statistical analysis was performed on these 354 patients. After adjusting for confounding factors, the results indicated that the risk of SSI was 70% higher in the group receiving SAP 31-60 minutes before incision compared to the group receiving SAP 0-30 minutes before incision (OR=1.732, 95%CI 1.031-2.910, P=0.038). Additionally, the risk of SSI was 150% higher in the group receiving SAP 61-120 minutes before incision compared to the group receiving SAP 0-30 minutes before incision (OR=2.532, 95%CI 1.250-5.128, P=0.010). In subgroup analysis, this statistical trend persisted for both deformity surgeries and different SSI classifications. Administering cefuroxime SAP within 30 minutes before skin incision significantly reduces the risk of SSI, whether they are deep or superficial, in spinal fusion surgery. This pattern remains consistent among spinal deformity patients.

Association between the introduction of a national targeted intervention program and the incidence of surgical site infections in Swiss acute care hospitals

BackgroundIn Switzerland, the national surgical site infection (SSI) surveillance program showed a modest decrease in SSI rates for different procedures over the last decade. The study aimed to determine whether a multimodal, targeted intervention program in addition to existing SSI surveillance is associated with decreased SSI rates in the participating hospitals.MethodsProspective multicenter pre- and postintervention study conducted in eight Swiss acute care hospitals between 2013 and 2020. All consecutive patients > 18 years undergoing cardiac, colon, or hip/knee replacement surgery were included. The follow-up period was 30 days and one year for implant-related surgery. Patients with at least one follow-up were included. The intervention was to optimize three elements of preoperative management: (i) hair removal; (ii) skin disinfection; and (iii) perioperative antimicrobial prophylaxis. We compared SSI incidence rates (main outcome measure) pre- and postintervention (three years each) adjusted for potential confounders. Poisson generalized linear mixed models fitted to quarter-yearly confirmed SSIs and adjusted for baseline differences between hospitals and procedures. Adherence was routinely monitored through on-site visits.ResultsA total of 10 151 patients were included, with a similar median age pre- and postintervention (69.6 and IQR 60.9, 76.8 years, vs 69.5 and IQR 60.4, 76.8 years, respectively; P = 0.55) and similar proportions of females (44.8% vs. 46.1%, respectively; P = 0.227). Preintervention, 309 SSIs occurred in 5 489 patients (5.6%), compared to 226 infections in 4 662 cases (4.8%, P = 0.09) postintervention. The adjusted incidence rate ratio (aIRR) for overall SSI after intervention implementation was 0.81 (95% CI, 0.68 to 0.96, P = 0.02). For cardiac surgery (n = 2 927), the aIRR of SSI was 0.48 (95% CI, 0.32 to 0.72, P < 0.001). For hip/knee replacement surgery (n = 4 522), the aIRR was 0.88 (95% CI, 0.52 to 1.48, P = 0.63), and for colon surgery (n = 2 702), the aIRR was 0.92 (95% CI, 0.75 to 1.14, P = 0.49).ConclusionsThe SSI intervention bundle was associated with a statistically significant decrease in SSI cases. A significant association was observed for cardiac surgery. Adding a specific intervention program can add value compared to routine surveillance only. Further prevention modules might be necessary for colon and orthopedic surgery.

Effects of Preoperative Use of Povidone-Iodine–Impregnated Dressing on Postoperative Rate of Surgical Site Infection in Patients Undergoing Posterolateral Lumbar Spinal Fusion Surgery: A Randomized, Nonblinded, Active-Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: No study has evaluated the efficacy of using preoperative antiseptic dressings in reducing the rate of surgical site infection (SSI) in spine surgery thus far. To investigate the efficacy of the use of preoperative povidone-iodine–impregnated antiseptic dressings in patients undergoing instrumented posterolateral lumbar spinal fusion. METHODS: This was a randomized, nonblinded, active-controlled, parallel-group clinical trial. Patients were randomly assigned to the 2 study groups, including treatment and control. Patients in the treatment group received povidone-iodine–impregnated antiseptic dressing applied to the anticipated incision site 12 hours before the operation. The control group merely received the standard perioperative care with no additional intervention or placebo. Patients were followed up for 90 days, and SSIs were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 200 patients were included in this study (100 in each arm). Three cases of SSI were observed in the treatment group compared with 12 in the control one. A significant reduction in the postoperative rate of SSI was observed in the treatment group compared with the control one (P = .029). In addition to study intervention (P = .029), body mass index (P = .005), smoking status (P = .005), duration of the procedure (P = .003), American Society of Anesthesiologists class (P = .002), and diabetes mellitus (P &lt; .001) were significantly associated with the postoperative rate of SSI. CONCLUSION: To the best of our knowledge, this study for the first time showed that preoperative use of antiseptic dressings is significantly effective in reducing the rate of SSI in instrumented posterior lumbar spinal fusion surgery. Future studies are warranted to evaluate the efficacy of different preparations or the effectiveness of the present one in patients undergoing spine procedures with other surgical characteristics.