Perioperative Antibiotic Treatment Research Articles

Wound Infection in Head and Neck Surgery: Implications for Perioperative Antibiotic Treatment

Perioperative antibiotic treatment significantly reduces the risk of postoperative wound infection and is cost-effective in clean-contaminated head and neck operations. A clear consensus on the most suitable single agent or combination is, however, lacking. Most surgical wound infections involve both gram-positive and gram-negative aerobes and anaerobes; some organisms may exhibit antibiotic resistance through beta-lactamase production. Comparative trials have indicated that combinations with both aerobic and anaerobic activity provide protection superior to that achieved with single agents active against only aerobic pathogens. Recent results suggest that the beta-lactam/beta-lactamase-inhibitor combination ampicillin/sulbactam is cost-effective for perioperative treatment of patients undergoing head and neck surgery.

Morbidity of ileostomy and colostomy closure: impact of surgical technique and perioperative treatment.

The operative results and complications after stoma closure in 548 patients operated on between 1972 and 1993 are described in this retrospective study. The patients were divided into three groups (group I,n = 74, 1972-1976; group II,n = 256, 1977-1985; group III,n = 218, 1986-1993) according to the year of operation and changing concepts in colorectal surgery. The overall mortality rate was 2.0%. The morbidity rate including minor complications was significantly reduced from 70.3% in group I to 27.1% in group III. Postoperative wound infections and fever were the most common complications. The location of the stoma and the operative technique did not markedly influence the morbidity rate. The most striking decrease in complications was achieved by the combined usage of orthograde lavage and perioperative antibiotic treatment (14.6% wound infections, 6.9% postoperative fever). In conclusion, a standardized perioperative treatment protocol including orthograde lavage and antibiotics is recommended.

Prophylaxis of graft infection with rifampicinbonded Gelseal graft: 2-year follow-up of a prospective clinical trial

Between March 1991 and June 1992, 600 patients were treated with mono-, bifemoral or iliofemoral arterial graft revascularization for occlusions and/or aneurysms. The patients were divided into two groups: group A ( n = 296) received a Gelseal Vascutek graft immersed for 15 min before implant in a solution containing 1 mg/ml rifampicin; group B ( n = 304) received an untreated Gelseal Vascutek graft. Both groups received perioperative antibiotic treatment with cephalosporins. Clinical follow-up was performed at 1, 6,12 and 24 months after surgery to exclude signs of graft infection. Statistical analysis ( χ 2) of pre-, intra- and postoperative risk factors showed both groups to be well matched. Among 600 patients treated, the 2-year follow-up showed 12 cases of graft infection (2.0%): five in group A (1.7%) and seven in group B (2.3%) ( P = n. s.). All cases of graft infection originated in the groin and Staphylococcus aureus was isolated in 50% of cases. Statistical analysis (Mann-Whitney U test) showed a significant prevalence of lymphatic complications and immediate redo surgery in patients with graft infection. Of the 12 cases with infection, one was lost to follow-up, three were treated with total graft removal, six with partial graft removal and two with conservative therapy: there were no deaths. In spite of the relatively limited series and follow-up, no statistically significant difference emerged from the clinical use of vascular grafts pretreated with antibiotics.

Long Term Survival After Transurethral Resection of the Prostate: Influence of Preoperative Bacteriuria and Indwelling Catheter Treatment on Late Mortality

In this report we have analysed the long term survival after transurethral resection of the prostate in patients with cancer and benign hyperplasia, with special reference to the effect of bacteriuria. One hundred and eighty-nine men were followed for seven years after operation. Life tables according to the Kaplan-Meier method indicated a decreased survival rate for patients with preoperative catheter treatment and/or bacteriuria (p = 0.004 and p = 0.013, respectively). In order to evaluate the influence on the long-term survival of each of these factors alone as well as of other factors like diagnosis, age at operation and perioperative antibiotic treatment, a multivariate analysis, according to Cox proportional hazards method was made. This displayed a two-fold increase of mortality in the patients attributed to the catheter treatment per se, whereas bacteriuria alone was not associated with an increased risk of earlier death.

Microflora of the biliary tree and liver--clinical correlates.

Microbiologic aspects of hepatobiliary tracts are reviewed. The gallbladder, the common duct and the liver are discussed separately. Special attention is paid to bacteriologic sampling technique. Factors associated with bactibilia are surveyed. The relation between biliary bacteria and stone formation is evaluated. The etiology of acute calculous and acalculous cholecystitis, cholangitis and pyogenic liver abscess is discussed from a microbiological point of view. The importance of new imaging techniques, such as ultrasound, radionuclide scanning and computerized tomography, in the diagnosis and treatment of biliary obstruction or hepatic abscess is recognized. The type of bacteria and their incidence in bile was strongly associated with the underlying condition and various host factors. The flora in acute cholecystitis closely resembled that of the small intestine, while cholangitis and hepatic abscess specimens grew species often found in the colon. In addition, 'microaerophilic streptococci' were especially abundant in hepatic abscess. Nonetheless, coliforms predominated at all loci. Depending on selection criteria of the study population, bacteria of biliary origin played varying roles in the development of postoperative sepsis. Principles of perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis and treatment of manifest infection are outlined.