Positive Postoperative Cultures Research Articles

The impact of intraoperative antiseptic nasal irrigation during endoscopic sinus surgery on early postoperative results.

The main objective of the study was to determine the validity of intraoperative antiseptic treatment during endoscopic sinus surgery and the impact of such a treatment on the postoperative outcomes. Fifty-five patients with chronic sinusitis, qualified for surgical treatment were enrolled into the trial. It was designed as a prospective, randomized, blinded study. The surgical procedures were performed on both sides, in the same scope. In the next stage, after opening, one side was flushed with saline solution, and the other side with octenidine solution. The analysis showed a statistically significant reduction in postoperative crusting measured using the Lund-Kennedy scale between the test and the control group. Intraoperative lavage of the paranasal sinuses in both control and study group showed an effect on decreasing the total number of positive postoperative cultures relative to preoperative ones. Study showed a beneficial effect of the intervention consisting in rinsing with Octenisept on the reduction of crusting in the postoperative assessment.

Intrauterine bacterial growth in elective and non-elective caesarean sections

We assessed intrauterine bacterial growth for elective and non-elective caesarean sections (CSs). Aerobic uterine cultures were obtained from the uterine cavity immediately following placental removal from 1376 patients who underwent CS in one center during one year. About 13.8% (115/832) of elective CS were positive vs. 55.9% (304/544) of non-elective CS (p < .001). Of non-elective CSs, 28.6% (56/196) of those without ruptured membranes (ROM) were positive vs. 71.3% (248/348) with ROM (p < .001). Mean birth weight and 1-minute Apgar scores were significantly lower in women with positive cultures, elective and non-elective, than negative cultures. A higher percentage of women with positive uterine cultures presented with postpartum endometritis (p < .05). Intrauterine bacteria in elective CSs demonstrate that the uterine cavity is not sterile. Non-elective CS, particularly after membrane rupture, is a significant risk factor for positive uterine culture. Positive uterine culture is associated with lower birth weight, lower one-minute Apgar score and postpartum endometritis. Impact statement What is already known on this subject? Postpartum endometritis is a leading cause of postpartum febrile morbidity. Caesarean sections, in particular non-elective cesareans, are an important risk factor for the development of postpartum endometritis. Controversy exists concerning the sterility of the placenta and uterus. The diagnosis of endometritis is based mainly on clinical findings and does not necessitate bacterial isolation from the uterine cavity. Positive culture at caesarean section has been associated with positive postoperative culture and yet, currently, professional organisations do not recommend the routine sampling of intrauterine cultures during caesarean section. What do the results of this study add? Since positive uterine culture rate was higher in non-elective CSs and associated with lower birth weight and 1-minute Apgar score and postoperative endometritis, obtaining uterine culture in those cases might be of clinical value. What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Obtaining routine intrauterine cultures during non-elective caesarean sections might be useful for detecting significant pathogens and tailoring antibiotic treatment in postpartum endometritis. Further studies are necessary in order to determine the impact of obtaining intrauterine cultures during caesarean sections, particularly non-elective cesareans.

Factors associated with positive urine cultures in cats with subcutaneous ureteral bypass system implantation.

The aims of this study were to report the postoperative incidence of subcutaneous ureteral bypass (SUB)-associated bacteriuria and risk factors in a large population of UK cats, to identify the commonly implicated isolates in these cases and to report associations of positive postoperative urine cultures with device occlusion or a need for further surgery. Electronic clinical records were reviewed to identify cats with ureteral obstruction that underwent unilateral or bilateral SUB implantation between September 2011 and September 2019. In total, 118 client-owned cats were included in the study population. Information recorded included signalment, history, surgical and biochemical factors, urinalysis and culture results. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify variables associated with a positive postoperative culture. In total, 10 cats (8.5%) had a positive postoperative culture within 1 month postsurgery and 28 cats (23.7%) within 1 year postsurgery. Cats with a positive preoperative culture were significantly more likely to have a positive culture within 6 months postoperatively (odds ratio [OR] 4.09, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.18-14.18; P = 0.026). Of the 14 cats with a positive preoperative culture, six (42.9%) returned a positive culture within 1 year postoperatively, and in four cases (66.7%) the same isolate was identified. Cats with a higher end-anaesthetic rectal temperature were significantly less likely to return a positive culture within 3 months (OR 0.398, 95% CI 0.205-0.772; P = 0.006) postsurgery. Cats culturing positive for Escherichia coli at any time point (OR 4.542, 95% CI 1.485-13.89; P = 0.008) were significantly more likely to have their implant removed or replaced. Perioperative hypothermia and preoperative positive culture were independent predictors of a postoperative positive culture and this should be taken into consideration when managing these cases. Positive postoperative culture rates were higher than have previously been reported.

Variations in Perioperative Antibiotic Prescriptions Among Academic Urologists After Ambulatory Endoscopic Urologic Surgery: Impact on Infection Rates and Validation of 2019 Best Practice Statement

ObjectiveTo evaluate adherence to the American Urologic Association (AUA) best practice statement guidelines regarding antibiotic duration in the perioperative setting for endoscopic urologic surgery. We assessed concordance to these guidelines among adult urologists at a single academic institution and its correlation with postoperative positive urine cultures as it relates to the revised 2019 best practice statement. MethodsWe performed a retrospective review of all adult endoscopic ambulatory urologic surgeries performed over an 18-month period by urologists at our institution. Patient demographics, pre- and postoperative urine cultures, operative details, stent or foley use, and antibiotic prescriptions were reviewed. Chi-squared and linear regression analyses were done. ResultsThree hundred thirty patients were included for analysis. Sixty-two percent of patients were prescribed postoperative antibiotics, for an average of 4 days. Trimethoprim/Sulfamethoxazole and fluroquinolones were most often prescribed (43% and 38%, respectively). Intraoperative stent placement, positive urine culture within 30 days prior to surgery, and a positive urine culture within 1 year prior to surgery predicted antibiotic prescription. No significant differences were seen in rates of positive postoperative urine culture rates between cohorts that received antibiotics postoperatively vs those who did not. ConclusionsAt our academic institution, we observed poor concordance with the AUA best practice statement for perioperative antibiotic prescription after ambulatory endoscopic urologic surgery. Rates of positive postoperative cultures were low and not associated with receipt or duration of antibiotic prescription at the time of surgery, supporting minimal use of antibiotics for most endoscopic cases.

Does Preoperative Topical Antimicrobial Scrub Reduce Positive Surgical Site Culture Rates in Men Undergoing Artificial Urinary Sphincter Placement?

We determined if the incidence of a perioperative surgical site-positive culture was reduced by a 5-day topical antimicrobial scrub before implantation of an artificial urinary sphincter. A single surgeon prospective cohort study was conducted of 100 consecutive artificial urinary sphincter implants placed between May 2003 and November 2005. We compared 50 men who performed preoperative topical antimicrobial scrub with 4% chlorhexidine to the abdominal site and perineal site with 50 men who used their normal hygiene (soap and water). All received povidone-iodine skin disinfection before incision, and bacterial cultures of the abdominal and perineal sites were collected immediately after skin disinfection and after artificial urinary sphincter implantation. Baseline comparisons between groups were done with the Wilcoxon rank sum and Fisher exact tests. Predictors of positive culture were identified using multivariate logistic regression analysis. The causes of incontinence were radical prostatectomy (90), radiation therapy (8) and transurethral resection of the prostate (2). There were no baseline differences between the groups including age, diabetes or previous urethral surgery. Overall 140 of the 400 cultures were positive with only 37% of the positive cultures (52 of 140) observed with topical antimicrobial scrub. For the perineal site the only factor affecting preoperative culture status was topical antimicrobial scrub (OR 0.23, p = 0.003). A positive postoperative culture was predicted by a positive preoperative perineal (OR 4.61, p = 0.003) and abdominal culture (OR 3.80, p = 0.013). Preoperative topical antimicrobial scrub resulted in a 4-fold reduction in preoperative perineal colonization rate and overall reduction in positive surgical site cultures. Given the low cost, safety and efficacy, topical antimicrobial scrub should be considered before artificial urinary sphincter placement.

Covering of the Toes During Hindfoot and Ankle Surgery: A Randomized, Controlled, Clinical Study

Major advances in sterility over the last 140 years have dramatically reduced the rates of infection. The purpose of this study was to determine whether there was benefit to covering the toes during hindfoot or ankle surgery. Forty consecutive hindfoot or ankle surgery patients were randomly assigned to one of two groups based on whether the toes were covered with a sterile glove or left uncovered. Three cultures were taken of the foot in the second web space. The first sample was taken before surgical preparation. The second sample was taken immediately after draping of the patient. The third sample was taken at the conclusion of the operation before dressing placement. The culture swab was moistened before sampling with sterile saline. The operative extremity was scrubbed with chlorhexidine gluconate and sterile water solution, followed by painting with 70% isopropyl alcohol. Before surgery, the patients were assigned to one of the two groups (covered or uncovered toes) on a random basis. A sterile size 6-1/2 glove was placed over the toes of the covered group and left in place until final wound closure. All patients received the same perioperative intravenous antibiotics. Thirty-five of 40 patients (87.5%) had positive cultures before the surgical preparation. One patient had a positive culture at the conclusion of the procedure but not immediately after the surgical preparation, and the toes were covered during the operation. Cultures before and after the procedure contained coagulase negative staphylococcus species. This patient did not develop any wound infection during the followup period. A second patient had positive cultures on all three samples. The species was coagulase positive staphylococcus. This patient did not have any wound infection problems postoperatively, although he was placed on prophylactic antibiotics 8 weeks after the initial surgery for a hardware removal procedure. The toes were not covered during the initial operation in this patient. In total, 10 patients were placed on antibiotics after the initial surgery. Three patients had erythema surrounding the incision, two patients had delayed wound healing, and one patient had erythema at the knee from a proximal tibial bone graft harvest site. The other four patients who received antibiotics had a hardware removal procedure within the 90-day followup period and received prophylactic antibiotics for that procedure. The results of this study indicate no benefits in covering the toes in hindfoot or ankle surgery after skin preparation with chlorhexidine gluconate and isopropyl alcohol. There were only two positive postoperative cultures and neither patient showed any signs of postoperative wound infection during the followup period.

Uterine flora at cesarean and its relationship to postpartum endometritis

Objective: To evaluate the relationship between the presence of microorganisms at the time of cesarean at different sites of the genital tract and the development of postpartum endometritus. Methods: One-hundred thirty-three healthy women who delivered by cesarean were enrolled in this prospective study. Cultures were obtained during the surgery and on days 3–5 postoperatively. Gram staining of uterine cavity fluid was done on days 3–5. Gram stains were examined under a high-power microscope for the presence of polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Results: Twenty patients (15.0%) met the criteria for postpartum endometritis. Forty-five patients (33.8%) had one or more positive cultures ( n = 133) at the time of surgery, resulting in 93 positive cultures and 123 bacterial isolates. Forty-four patients had positive postoperative uterine cavity cultures at days 3–5 postpartum, resulting in 65 isolates. Of 44 patients with a positive postoperative culture, 26 (59.1%) also had Gram stain positive for polymorphonuclear leukocytes in the uterine cavity fluid, whereas only six of 89 patients (6.7%) with negative postoperative culture had a positive Gram stain ( P < .05). The relative risk of having a positive culture on postoperative day 3–5 if the culture at surgery was positive at any site was 15.6 (95% confidence interval [CI] 5.9, 42.2), and it was 19.5 (95% CI 6.8, 57.8) if the culture was positive at the lower uterine segment. Conclusion: The presence of bacteria in the lower uterine segment at the time of the surgery predicts their presence in the uterine cavity during puerperium. The Gram stain of uterine cavity fluid on postcesarean days 3–5 is another quick tool that can expedite the diagnosis of postpartum endometritis.

Lacrimal-duct-probing-induced bacteremia: should children with congenital heart defects receive antibiotic prophylaxis?

To determine the incidence of bacteremia following lacrimal-duct probing in children, and to evaluate the potential need for antibiotic prophylaxis in children who are at an increased risk of infectious endocarditis (IE). In a prospective study beginning in October 1994, 40 consecutive children requiring lacrimal-duct probing performed by a single pediatric ophthalmologist received preoperative lacrimal and blood cultures followed by postoperative probe-induced transient bacteremia that was defined as a negative preoperative blood culture, followed by a positive postoperative blood culture of the same bacteria identified in the positive lacrimal culture. The overall infection rate as described above was 7 of 40 children (17.5%) with a 95% confidence interval of 7.3% to 32.8%. Of these, four children had positive postoperative cultures for Haemophilus influenzae (10.0%) and 3 were positive for Streptococcus pneumoniae (7.5%) One child had a negative preoperative blood and lacrimal culture with a postoperative blood culture positive for Streptococcus viridans. This study shows a significant incidence of lacrimal-probe-induced bacteremia with organisms that have been documented as etiological agents for IE in children. IE, although less common in children, remains a serious, potentially life threatening infection with high mortality. Although lacrimal-duct probing has never been clearly associated with documented endocarditis, it is the authors' recommendation that it be prudent for patients who are at known high risk for endocarditis to receive SBE prophylaxis considering the low cost/benefit ratio.

Infections and antibiotic prophylaxis in reconstructive vascular surgery

In 98 patients undergoing elective vascular surgery, specimens for bacterial cultures were obtained from urine, ischaemic ulcers, incisional wounds and the implanted grafts. Wound and graft infections were registered and compared with the results of these cultures and suspected risk factors in an attempt to find the source of infections. Antibiotic prophylaxis with cefuroxime was given for 24 h beginning at the start of surgery. Patients with ischaemic ulcers also received "spread prophylaxis", directed against isolated bacteria, for ten days. Three cases of graft infection and twelve cases of wound infection occurred. Positive postoperative cultures from wounds did not correlate with pre- or peroperative cultures. Peroperative cultures revealed small numbers of staphylococcus epidermidis in eleven patients, and none of them developed graft infection. Ischaemic ulcers, diabetes or re-do procedures were not accompanied by a significantly increased frequency of wound or graft infection, although each of three patients with graft infection had one of these risk factors. Bacteria, sensitive to cefuroxime, were found in one graft infection, six wound infections, and in two patients with urosepsis, whereas cefuroxime resistant organisms were isolated from one graft infection and three infected wounds. One of the three graft infections was probably caused by bacteria originating from the patient's ischaemic ulcer. In the other two patients the source of bacteria could not be determined. Cefuroxime seems to be an adequate alternative for prophylaxis of vascular graft infection, but in some patients with bacteriuria or indwelling catheters, a one day regimen may be too short.

Urinary culture and morbidity in gynecological surgery

Three hundred women undergoing gynecological surgery were evaluated as regards post-operative morbidity and its relationship to urinary tract infections. The incidence of pre-operative positive urine cultures was 6.3%. This was almost trippled post-operatively. Post operative morbidity was found in 39% of the cases with the highest rate following vaginal surgery. Urinary tract infection was thought to be the cause in 20% of the cases, wound infection in 42% and unknown among 36% of the cases. It was found that the pre- and post-operative urine cultures were poorly related to morbidity and it was particularly noted that 41% of patients who had positive post-operative cultures suffered no morbidity at all. It was concluded that the mere finding of positive pos-operative urine cultures may not have accounted for the morbidity in some of the cases and the need for further search of the cause is discussed.