Intra-abdominal Infectious Complications Research Articles

The effect of immune therapy on surgical site infection following Crohn's Disease resection

Patients with Crohn's disease are increasingly receiving antitumour necrosis factor α (anti-TNF-α) therapy. Whether anti-TNF-α therapy increases the risk of postoperative infectious complications in Crohn's disease is a matter of debate. This was a retrospective study of three referral centres. The charts of patients who underwent ileocaecal or ileocolonic resection for Crohn's disease between 2000 and 2011 were reviewed. The impact of baseline characteristics and Crohn's disease-related medications on the risk of postoperative intra-abdominal infectious complications was investigated by univariable and multivariable analysis. A total of 217 patients were included in the study. Median age at the time of surgery was 36·8 (range 15-78) years. A postoperative intra-abdominal infection occurred in 24 (11·1 per cent) of 217 patients. No deaths were reported. On univariable analysis, age less than 25 years (P = 0·023), steroid use (P = 0·017), anti-TNF-α therapy (P = 0·043) and anti-TNF-α treatment in combination with steroids (P = 0·004) were associated with an increased risk of postoperative intra-abdominal infectious complications. On multivariable analysis, only anti-TNF-α therapy in combination with steroids significantly increased this risk (odds ratio 8·03, 95 per cent confidence interval 1·93 to 33·43; P = 0·035). Combined use of steroids and anti-TNF-α therapy was associated with an increased risk of postoperative intra-abdominal infectious complications.

Prognostic factors after R2 surgery in patients with advanced gastric cancer.

140 Background: In patients with advanced gastric cancer, chemotherapy is a standard treatment if they have non-curable factors. However, gastrectomy is sometimes performed even in patients having non-curable factors, particularly when they have tumor associated symptoms. The aim of this study is to investigate clinicopathological characteristics of patients who underwent R2 surgery, and to identify prognostic factors. Methods: This study included 157 patients who underwent gastrectomy with macroscopic residual disease (R2 surgery) between September 2002 and June 2011 at the Shizuoka Cancer Center. Clinicopathological characteristics and surgical outcomes were investigated. In addition, we conducted Cox-proportional Hazards model which included age, sex, number of non-curable factors, chemotherapy, macroscopic type, histology, and postoperative intraabdominal infectious complications as covariates, to identify independent prognostic factors after R2 surgery. Results: There were 103 male and 54 female patients with median age of 69 years. The reasons why R2 surgery was performed were low oral intake due to stenosis in 120 patients and bleeding in 54 patients. Total gastrectmy was the most frequently performed procedure (93 patients) followed by distal gastrectomy (61 patients) Median operation time and intraoperative blood loss were 193 minutes and 337 mg, respectively, and intraabdominal infectious complications (Clavien-Dindo classification grade II or more severe) were observed in 24 patients (15.3%). Chemotherapy was given after surgery in 112 patients (71.3%) with median survival time of all patients being 8.7 months. Multivariate analysis identified postoperative chemotherapy (Hazard ratio, 0.34; 95% confidential interval, 0.24 – 0.65) and postoperative intraabdominal infectious complications (Hazard ratio, 1.74; 95% confidential interval, 1.06 – 2.88) as independent prognostic factors. Conclusions: The incidence of postoperative infectious complications after R2 surgery was thought to be higher than that after curative gastrectomy reported before. Safe procedure and administration of postoperative chemotherapy would be necessary to offer improved overall survival after R2 surgery.

The impact of modified Glasgow prognostic score on survival in patients with gastric cancer.

104 Background: Modified Glasgow Prognostic Score (mGPS), based on serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and albumin-levels, was reported to be a good prognosticator for survival in patients with lung cancer. However, the role of mGPS in gastric cancer is still controversial. The aim of this study is to clarify the significance of mGPS as a prognosticator in patients with gastric cancer. Methods: This study included 1,062 patients who underwent gastrectomy for gastric cancer at Shizuoka Cancer Center between September 2002 and December 2006. Patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and those who had other cancers were excluded from the analysis. mGPS is defined by serum CRP level and serum albumin level. Patients with serum CRP level of 1.0mg/dl or lower were classified to mGPS 0 irrespective to the serum albumin level. Patients with elevated serum CRP level (>1.0mg/dl) were classified to mGPS1 or mGPS2 according to the serum albumin level (mGPS1, albumin≥3.5g/dl; mGPS2, albumin<3.5g/dl). We compared relationships between mGPS and clinicopathological characteristics of patients, the incidence of intra-abdominal infectious complications (Clavien-Dindo grade II or more severe), and overall survival. Results: There were 712 male and 350 female patients. The median age was 65 years old. The number of patients classified to the mGPS0, mGPS1, and mGPS2 group were 970 (91.3%), 59 (5.6%), and 33 (3.1%), respectively. The incidences of intra-abdominal infectious complications were 27.1% in mGPS1, and 24.3% in mGPS2, and were significantly higher than that in mGPS0 (9.5%, P< 0.001). Overall five-year survival rates were 74.6% in mGPS0, 61.4% in mGPS1, and 34.6% in mGPS2. The overall survival was significantly worse in patients with mGPS2 than those with mGPS0 or mGPS1 (P<0.001). Conclusions: mGPS was correlated with the incidence of intra-abdominal infectious complications. In addition, mGPS was found to be a prognosticator for survival in patients with gastric cancer. Preoperative nutritional support may lead to reduced incidence of surgical complications and improved survival outcome after gastrectomy in patients with gastric cancer.

Poor Survival Rate in Patients with Postoperative Intra-Abdominal Infectious Complications Following Curative Gastrectomy for Gastric Cancer

The impact of postoperative complications on recurrence rate and long-term outcome has been reported in patients with colorectal and esophageal cancer, but not in patients with gastric cancer. This study evaluated the impact of postoperative intra-abdominal infectious complications on long-term survival following curative gastrectomy. This study included 765 patients who underwent curative gastrectomy for gastric cancer between 2002 and 2006. Patients were divided into 2 groups: with (C-group, n = 81) or without (NC-group, n = 684) intra-abdominal infectious complications. Survival curves were compared between the groups, and multivariate analysis was conducted to identify independent prognostic factors. Male patients were dominant, and total gastrectomy was frequently performed in the C-group. The pathological stage was more advanced and D2 lymph node dissection and splenectomy were preferred in the C-group. The 5-year overall survival (OS) rate was better in the NC-group (86.8 %) than in the C-group (66.4 %; P < .001). The 5-year relapse-free survival (RFS) rate was also better in the NC-group (84.5 %) than in the C-group (64.9 %; P < .001). This trend was still observed in stage II and III patients after stratification by pathological stage. Multivariate analysis identified intra-abdominal infectious complication as an independent prognostic factor for OS (hazard ratio, 2.448; 95 % confidence interval [95 % CI], 1.475-4.060) and RFS (hazard ratio, 2.219; 95 % CI, 1.330-3.409) in patients with advanced disease. Postoperative intra-abdominal infectious complications adversely affect OS and RFS. Meticulous surgery is needed to decrease the complication rate and improve the long-term outcome of patients following curative gastrectomy.

Effect of post-operative intra-abdominal infectious complications on overall and relapse-free survival following curative gastrectomy in patients with gastric cancer.

86 Background: The number of reports investigating the impact of postoperative complications on long-term outcome following curative gastrectomy is limited and still remains unclear. The aim of this study is to clarify the effect of postoperative intra-abdominal infectious complications on overall survival (OS) and relapse-free survival (RFS) following curative gastrectomy. Methods: Three hundred and sixty-seven patients pts who underwent curative gastrectomy for gastric cancer between June 2003 and December 2004 at Shizuoka Cancer Center were included. Clinicopathological features and effects of postoperative intra-abdominal infectious complications on OS and RFS were investigated. In this study, postoperative intra-abdominal infectious complications were defined as Clavien-Dindo grade II or more severe pancreas fistula, anastomotic leak, or intra-abdominal abscess. Results: Median age was 63 years, male-female ratio was 2:1. Pathological stage was Stage I; 225 patients, stage II; 72 patients, stage III; 64 patients, and stage IV; 6 patients. Median observation periods of survivors were 71 months. Of 367 patients, 32 patients (8.7%) had intra-abdominal infectious complications. Overall 5-year survival rate was significantly better in patients without complications than in those with complications (86.1 vs 67.9%, P&lt;0.001). The same trend was observed even after stratification by pathological stage (Stage II; 76.9 vs 66.7%, P=0.254, Stage III; 62.1 vs 40.9%, P=0.218) although each difference was not statistically significant. Relapse free 5-year survival rate was significantly better in patient without complications (85.0 vs 64.9%, P=0.002), and the same trend was also observed after stratification by pathological stage. Conclusions: Postoperative intra-abdominal infectious complications adversely affect overall and relapse free survival of patients following curative gastrectomy. Reduced incidence of infectious complications may be beneficial to improve long-term outcome of patients with gastric cancer.

Intra-abdominal infectious complications following gastrectomy in patients with excessive visceral fat

Excessive visceral fat may be a better predictor of the development of postoperative morbidity after gastrectomy than body mass index (BMI). The aim of the present study was to clarify the most appropriate fat parameter to predict pancreas-related infection and anastomotic leakage following gastrectomy. The study was performed in 206 patients who underwent curative gastrectomy at the Shizuoka Cancer Center between April 2008 and March 2009. Relationships between fat parameters, including visceral fat area (VFA), and early surgical outcomes were investigated. The risk factors for pancreas-related infection and anastomotic leakage were identified using univariate and multivariate analyses. There was no strong association between any of the fat parameters and operating time, intraoperative blood loss, the number of lymph nodes retrieved, or the duration of the postoperative hospital stay. Pancreas-related infection occurred in 18 patients (8.7%), whereas anastomotic leakage was observed in 10 patients (4.9%). Of all the fat parameters, only VFA was found to be an independent risk factor for both pancreas-related infection and anastomotic leakage, with odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) of 1.015 (1.005-1.025) and 1.010 (1.000-1.021), respectively. Excessive visceral fat, represented by the VFA, was found to be an independent risk factor for both pancreas-related infection and anastomotic leakage following gastrectomy.

Pylephlebitis: An Uncommon Complication of Intra-Abdominal Infection

We present a case of pylephlebitis, which is an infective suppurative thrombosis of the portal vein. Pylephlebitis is an uncommon complication of intra-abdominal infections and carries with it significant morbidity and mortality.

Perioperative Anti-Tumor Necrosis Factor Therapy Does Not Increase the Rate of Early Postoperative Complications in Crohn’s Disease

BackgroundThere have been numerous studies with conflicting results regarding the use of anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) therapy and its relationship to postoperative outcome in Crohn disease. The aim of our study was to examine the rate of postoperative morbidity in patients receiving anti TNF therapy in the perioperative period. MethodsAll patients undergoing surgery for Crohn disease from 2005 till 2008 were abstracted from a prospective database. Patients undergoing surgery which included a suture or staple line at risk for leaking were selected for the study. A retrospective review of medical records was performed. The study group comprised patients treated with perioperative anti TNF therapy (defined as treatment within 8 weeks preoperatively or up to 30 days postoperatively). The remainder of the patients did not receive perioperative anti TNF therapy. Patient characteristics, disease severity, medication use, operative intervention and 30-day complication were compared between the two groups. ResultsThree hundred and seventy patients were selected for analysis in this study, of which 119 received perioperative anti TNF therapy and 251 did not. The groups were similar in baseline characteristics, perioperative risk factors and procedures. The group who received perioperative anti TNF therapy had a more severe disease overall as measured by the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) categories of disease (50% severe fulminant disease in the perioperative anti-TNF therapy group versus 18% in the group that did not receive perioperative anti-TNF therapy, p < 0.001). There was no significant association of perioperative anti TNF therapy and any postoperative complications (27.9% in anti-TNF group versus 30.1% in no anti-TNF group, p = 0.63) nor intra-abdominal infectious complications (5.0% in anti-TNF group versus 7.2% in no anti-TNF group, p = 0.44). Univariate analysis showed that the only factors associated with an increase in postoperative intra-abdominal infections were age and penetrating disease. ConclusionsThe use of anti-TNF therapy in the perioperative period is safe and is not associated with an increase in overall or infectious complications in Crohn disease patients undergoing surgery.

Human Fibrinogen Patches Application Reduces Intra‐Abdominal Infectious Complications in Pancreas Transplant with Enteric Drainage

The purpose of the study was to analyze the incidence of intra-abdominal infectious complications after the application of a fibrinogen sealant to the duodenojejunal anastomosis in simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplants (SPK) with enteric drainage. Results of 68 SPKs with enteric drainage were prospectively assessed. A fibrinogen and thrombin sheet was applied to the duodenojejunal anastomosis in 34 patients, who were compared to a control group of 34 patients. The incidence and severity of intra-abdominal infectious complications and the 1-year patient and grafts survival were analyzed. Eighteen patients experienced intra-abdominal infectious complications. Grade 1a complications occurred in the study group, whereas surgery was required only in patients from the control group: complications grade 3a (15%) and complications grade 3b (18%) (p=0.003 vs. study group, respectively). The overall rate of anastomotic leakage (complications grade 2b and 3b) was 10%, all of which occurred in the control group. The length of hospital stay was higher in the control group was 34.6±11.3days vs. 22.8±11.1days (p=0.03). There were no significant differences in 1-year patient and graft survival between groups. In our study, the application of fibrinogen and thrombin sheets was associated to a decrease in the number and severity of intra-abdominal infectious complications.

Pyléphlébite chez l’enfant : un diagnostic difficile

Pylephlebitis or septic thrombophlebitis of the portomesenteric veins is a complication of intra-abdominal infections. The disease is rare in children and the diagnosis is often delayed. The morbidity of pylephlebitis is relatively low, although there is a risk of residual thrombosis. We report on 2 cases of pylephlebitis in a 12-year-old girl and a 13-year-old boy, following undiagnosed appendicitis. In the 1st case, the young girl had been misdiagnosed with Salmonella infection and was given antibiotics; in the 2nd case, the boy had retrocecal appendicitis that was clinically subacute. An accurate diagnosis was finally made in both cases by CT scan. Both children evolved satisfactorily following appendectomy, long-term antibiotics, and anticoagulation. Clinically, the severe sepsis associated with pylephlebitis is at the forefront. Physical examination is often normal and therefore of little help; the knowledge of a preceding abdominal infection leads to further radiological investigations. Biologically, there are pronounced signs of infection. CT is the preferred exam for diagnosing pylephlebitis, as it can also show the underlying cause of the intra-abdominal sepsis or possible complications. Doppler sonography is recommended more for follow-up of the portal vein thrombosis. Treatment of pylephlebitis associated with appendicitis always includes long-term antibiotics. An appendectomy is always performed either at the time of diagnosis or later. The need for anticoagulation therapy in children is controversial. However, most pediatricians recommend its use, beginning as soon as possible, to be continued until normalization of portal vein flow.

Clinical Diagnosis of Intra-abdominal Infections

Abdominal sepsis results in high morbidity and mortality. Intra-abdominal infectious complications are one of the most common infectious pathologies seen in critically ill patients. Approximately 30% of patients admitted to an ICU with intra-abdominal infection succumb to their illness, and when peritonitis arises as a complication of a previous surgical procedure, or recurs during ICU admission, mortality rates exceed 50%. Thus early detection and treatment are essential to minimize patient complications.Critically ill patients are often clinically unevaluable due to distracting injuries, respiratory failure, obtundation, or other pathology. Even when patients can be examined, the clinical exam is frequently unreliable and/or misleading. The diagnostic approach to identifying abdominal problems will differ, depending upon the hemodynamic stability of the patient. Patients who have low systolic blood pressures, who are pressor-dependent, may be too unstable to undergo analyses that require trips away from the ICU or emergency department. Intra-abdominal pathology may be detected by ultrasound or diagnostic peritoneal lavage. When critically ill patients are stable enough to undergo some diagnostic evaluation of their abdomen, the approach is somewhat simpler. Overall, computerized tomography (CT) is the imaging modality of choice for most intra-abdominal processes. For diagnosis of intra-abdominal conditions using CT scanning it is optimal if patients receive both oral and intravenous contrast. An exception to the use of Ct scanning is evaluation of suspected biliary pathology, which is best imaged by ultrasound. It will identify calculous and acalculous cholecystitis and may show changes in the gallbladder or common bile duct associated with biliary obstruction.

Pylephlebitis due to perforated appendicitis in a teenager

Pylephlebitis, a septic thrombophlebitis of the portal vein, is a life-threatening complication of intraabdominal infections, commonly associated with acute appendicitis in children, and diverticulitis in adults. A 13-year-old boy was admitted for high fever and jaundice. On the fifth day of hospitalization, ultrasound Doppler flow and Computer Tomography scan studies showed thrombosis of the portal vein and acute appendicitis. The patient was treated with antibiotics, anticoagulation and laparotomy with appendectomy. No thrombophilic risk factors were diagnosed. Our aim is to improve physicians' awareness of this complication and emphasize the importance of early diagnosis and appropriate therapy in children in order to reduce serious complications and long-term sequels.

Thrombose veineuse mésentérico-porte aiguë associée à une septicémie à Fusobacterium necrophorum

Septic pylephlebitis is usually a complication of intraabdominal infection in the region drained by the portal venous system. We report two cases of portal and mesenteric venous thrombosis associated with Fusobacterium necrophorum bacteremia, which did not show any obvious intra-abdominal source of infection with noninvasive imaging procedures. In one case, early anticoagulation treatment was associated with repermeation of the portal vein and its right branch. As in Bacteroides bacteremia, portal and/or mesenteric venous thrombosis should be searched for in case of Fusobacterium bacteremia of unknown origin. Repermeation of the portal vein and relief of extrahepatic portal hypertension can be achieved in these cases with early anticoagulation.

A Clinical Study on Pyogenic Liver Abscess

Pyogenic liver abscess is an uncommon complication of intra-abdominal or biliary tract infection and is usually a polymicrobial infection associated with high mortality and high rates of relapse in western countries. However, over the past five and a half years, in the newly founded Taching Hospital, we have treated ninety-four patients (male-to-female ratio 1.4:1) with pyogenic liver abscesses. The abscesses were confirmed in all 94 patients by needle aspiration or operation. Eight patients (8.5%) died. Its clinical symptoms are, fever (90.4%), chills (84%), and right quadrant pain (54.2%). The majority of these abscesses are solitary (77.6%) and mostly found in the right lobe (82.9%). The major underlying predisposing causes for these abscesses are diabetes mellitus (D.M.)(36.2%), biliary tract stones (26.6%), cryptogenic abscess (18.1%), and cancer (9.5%). Bacteremia is the most common complication (52.9%). The most common I aboratory findings are leukocytosis (92%) and elevated alkaline phosphatase level (85%). Gram negative bacilli were the most common bacteria encountered (87.7%). The positive culture rates for anaerobes was 5.5%.The most commonly used therapeutic measure was Pyogenic liver abscess is an uncommon complication of intra-abdominal or biliary tract infection and is usually a polymicrobial infection associated with high mortality and high rates of relapse in western countries. However, over the past five and a half years, in the newly founded Taching Hospital, we have treated ninety-four patients (male-to-female ratio 1.4:1) with pyogenic liver abscesses. The abscesses were confirmed in all 94 patients by needle aspiration or operation. Eight patients (8.5%) died. aspiration or continuous percutaneous transhepatic drainage. Three patients underwent surgical intervention.

Ultrasound-guided radiofrequency thermal ablation of liver tumors: percutaneous, laparoscopic, and open surgical approaches

Only 10% to 20% of patients with primary and colorectal metastatic liver tumors are candidates for curative surgical resection. Even after curative treatment, tumors recur commonly in the liver. As a less invasive therapy, radiofrequency thermal ablation (RFA) of primary, metastatic, and recurrent liver tumors was performed under percutaneous, laparoscopic, or open intraoperative ultrasound guidance. The safety and local control efficacy of RFA were investigated. RFA was performed mostly in patients with unresectable hepatomas or metastatic liver tumors. Patients with large tumors, major vessel or bile duct invasion, limited extrahepatic metastases, or liver dysfunction were not excluded. An RFA system with a 15-gauge electrode-cannula with four-pronged retractable needles was used. All patients were followed for more than 8 months to assess morbidity and mortality, and to determine tumor recurrence. Sixty RFA operations were performed in 46 patients: 11 patients underwent repeat RFA once or twice. A total of 204 tumors were treated: 70 hepatomas and 134 metastatic tumors. Tumor size ranged from 5 mm to 180 mm (mean 36 mm). RFA was performed in 29 operations for 81 tumors percutaneously, in seven operations for 14 tumors laparoscopically, and in 24 operations for 109 tumors by open surgery. Combined colorectal resection was carried out in five operations and combined hepatic resection was carried out in three operations. There was one death (1.7%) from liver failure, and there were three major complications (5%): one case of bile leakage and two biliary strictures due to thermal injury. There were no intra-abdominal infectious or bleeding complications. The length of hospital stay ranged from 0 to 2, 1 to 3, and 4 to 7 days for percutaneous, laparoscopic, and open surgical RFA, respectively. During a mean follow-up period of 20.5 months, local tumor recurrence at the RFA site was diagnosed in 18 (8.8%) of 204 tumors. The risk factors for local recurrence included large tumor size and major vessel invasion: recurrence rates for tumors less than 4 cm, 4 to 10 cm, and greater than 10 cm, and for those with vessel invasion were 3.3%, 14.7%, 50%, and 47.8%, respectively. Ten of 18 tumors recurring locally were retreated by RFA, and eight of them showed no further recurrence. Ultrasound-guided RFA is a relatively safe, well-tolerated, and versatile treatment option that offers excellent local control of primary and metastatic liver tumors. The appropriate use of percutaneous, laparoscopic, and open surgical RFA is beneficial in the management of patients with liver tumors in a variety of situations.

Crohn’s disease presenting as septic thrombophlebitis of the portal vein (pylephlebitis): case report and review of the literature

Septic thrombophlebitis of the portal vein, or pylephlebitis, is an extremely rare complication of intraabdominal infection, most commonly caused by diverticulitis (1). The following case report describes a patient without previous significant medical history presenting with painless jaundice and presumed malignancy. Workup revealed pylephlebitis due to an ileal abscess secondary to Crohn’s disease. The patient was successfully treated with broad spectrum antibiotics and terminal small bowel and right colon resection. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of Crohn’s disease diagnosed after presentation with pylephlebitis.

Double-blind comparison of single-dose alatrofloxacin and cefotetan as prophylaxis of infection following elective colorectal surgery

Background: Alatrofloxacin, the prodrug of trovafloxacin, is a novel fluoroquinolone antimicrobial agent with a broad spectrum, including activity against gram-positive and gram-negative aerobes and anaerobes. Its pharmacokinetic properties (long half-life, excellent tissue distribution, and good safety profile) suggest a role in surgical prophylaxis. This prospective, multicenter, double-blind trial compared alatrofloxacin with cefotetan, an approved drug for surgical prophylaxis, in reducing postoperative infections. Methods: The efficacy and safety of a single 200- mg intravenous dose of alatrofloxacin were compared to a single 2-g intravenous dose of cefotetan in 492 patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery. The efficacy of alatrofloxacin as a prophylaxis for wound, intra-abdominal, or remote-site postoperative infectious complications was compared with cefotetan in 317 clinically evaluable patients; 161 received alatrofloxacin and 156 received cefotetan. The patients were monitored for infections and safety for 30 days postoperatively. Results: No statistically significant between-treatment difference was detected in successful clinical response rates at the end of the study (72% for each group). The incidence of primary wound infections at the time of hospital discharge was also similar: 21% in patients treated with alatrofloxacin and 18% in those treated with cefotetan. Safety, established by the incidence of adverse events, did not differ statistically between the groups. Conclusions: A single intravenous dose of alatrofloxacin given within 4 hours prior to surgery was as effective as an intravenous dose of cefotetan in the prevention of postoperative infectious complications in patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery. The safety profiles of the two medications were similar.

Primary Liver Abscess Due toKlebsiella pneumoniaein Taiwan

Pyogenic liver abscess is an uncommon complication of intra-abdominal or biliary tract infection and is usually a polymicrobial infection associated with high mortality and high rates of relapse. However, over the past 15 years, we have observed a new clinical syndrome in Taiwan: liver abscesses caused by a single microorganism, Klebsiella pneumoniae. We reviewed 182 cases of pyogenic liver abscess during the period September 1990 to June 1996; 160 of these cases were caused by K. pneumoniae alone, and 22 were polymicrobial. When patients with K. pneumoniae liver abscess were compared with those who had polymicrobial liver abscess, we found higher incidences of diabetes or glucose intolerance (75% vs. 4.5%) and metastatic infections (11.9% vs. 0) and lower rates of intra-abdominal abnormalities (0.6% vs. 95.5%), mortality (11.3% vs. 41%), and relapse (4.4% vs. 41%) in the former group. Liver abscess caused by K. pneumoniae is a new clinical syndrome that has emerged as an important infectious complication in diabetic patients in Taiwan.

Tertiary peritonitis: clinical features of a complex nosocomial infection.

The objective of this study was to define risk factors for and the clinical course of recurrent or tertiary peritonitis. Intensive supportive care of patients with life-threatening intraabdominal infections has led to the emergence of a new clinical syndrome, tertiary peritonitis, defined as the persistence or recurrence of intraabdominal infection following apparently adequate therapy of primary or secondary peritonitis. We undertook a retrospective study of 59 patients admitted with intraabdominal infection to a surgical intensive care unit (ICU). Tertiary peritonitis developed in 74% (44/59) of patients. Despite comparable premorbid health status, source of peritonitis, and admission APACHE II scores, patients with tertiary peritonitis had a significantly longer ICU stay (21.8 +/- 14.9 vs. 8.5 +/- 7.9 days), more advanced organ dysfunction reflected in higher organ dysfunction scores (13.3 +/- 5.1 vs. 7.7 +/- 3.3), and higher ICU mortality (64% vs. 33%) than patients with uncomplicated secondary peritonitis. The most common infecting organisms in patients with tertiary peritonitis were Enterococcus, Candida, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Enterobacter. Infectious foci were rarely amenable to percutaneous drainage and were found to be poorly localized at laparotomy. Recurrent, or tertiary, peritonitis is a common complication of intraabdominal infection in patients admitted to an ICU. It differs from uncomplicated secondary peritonitis in its microbial flora and lack of response to appropriate surgical and antibiotic therapy. Like nosocomial pneumonia in the critically ill patient, the syndrome appears to be more a reflection than a cause of adverse outcome.

The influence of intraoperative gallbladder perforation on long-term outcome after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

During laparoscopic cholecystectomy, gallbladder perforation with leakage of bile and/or gallstones into the abdominal cavity occurs frequently. When this occurs, our practice has been to lavage the operative field and retrieve as many gallstones as possible. We were concerned, however, that complications secondary to infection or adhesions might develop. To address this issue, our first 250 consecutive patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy were surveyed by postal questionnaire. In the 35-48 months (mean, 41 months) since operation, six patients (2.6%) died of nonbiliary causes. Of the 225 patients (90%) who completed the questionnaire, 73 (33%) suffered intraoperative gallbladder perforation. There were no late wound or intraabdominal infectious complications and no patient has required reoperation for intraabdominal sepsis or bowel obstruction. In the entire group, gastrointestinal symptoms were prevalent and included flatulence (40%), loose stools or fecal urgency (35%), belching (23%), and nausea (4%). The prevalence of these complaints was similar in patients with and without gallbladder perforation. Intraoperative gallbladder perforation during laparoscopic cholecystectomy, therefore, does not cause adverse long-term complications when accompanied by operative lavage and stone removal.