Postoperative Infection Research Articles

Early injection laryngoplasty for acute unilateral vocal fold paralysis after thoracic aortic surgery

ObjectiveUnilateral vocal fold paralysis (UVFP) following open thoracic aortic surgery increases pulmonary complications and hospital stays. An intervention protocol with early injection laryngoplasty (IL) and swallowing maneuvers was developed for acute UVFP following thoracic aortic surgery. This study aimed to compare the incidence of complications and length of medical care between the non-VFP and the IL-UVFP group managed under this protocol. MethodsPatients who underwent open thoracic aortic surgery from March 2020 to February 2023 were included, excluding those with preoperative VFP or postoperative bilateral VFP. Under the protocol, patients with UVFP and incomplete glottic closure received IL and swallowing maneuvers within one week after diagnosis, while those without a glottic gap started a soft diet along with swallowing maneuvers. Postoperative complications, including reintubation, ICU re-transfer, pneumonia, stroke, delirium, wound infection, and bleeding, as well as hospital and ICU stay, were assessed. ResultsOf the 355 patients included in the study, 51 (14.4%) developed postoperative UVFP, while 304 (85.6%) had normal VF function. In the UVFP group, 42 patients underwent IL, while 9 patients without a glottic gap did not undergo IL. The incidence of complications and length of medical care were analyzed in the non-VFP and the IL-UVFP groups. The IL-UVFP group had a longer median hospital stay compared to the non-VFP group (20.5 vs. 16.0 days), though this difference was not statistically significant (P = .0681). ICU stay (P = .5396) and ICU re-transfer rates (P = 1.00) were also comparable between the groups. There was no significant difference in the incidence of pneumonia between the IL-UVFP group (4.8%) and the non-VFP group (9.5%) (P = .4003). Additionally, no significant differences were observed in the incidence of stroke, delirium, wound infection, or bleeding between the groups. No IL-related complications were reported. ConclusionsThe protocol with early IL appears to help reduce complication rates in acute UVFP patients following thoracic aortic surgery to levels comparable to those in patients without VFP. This protocol could serve as a guideline for otolaryngologists in managing UVFP patients. Level of evidence2b/Individual cohort study.

Cumulative rabbit anti-human thymocyte globulin dose to recipient weight during the peri-operative period is an independent risk factor for early postoperative urinary tract infection after kidney transplantation

Anti-human thymocyte globulin-Fresenius (ATG-F) is frequently utilized to achieve successful induction for kidney transplantation recipients. This study aimed to examine the association between the ATG-F dose-to-recipient-weight ratio (ADR) and the risk of developing urinary tract infections (UTIs) following kidney transplantation. Data of kidney transplant recipients who underwent ATG-F-induction peri-operatively in a medical center were retrospectively collected, and the incidence of UTIs during the first postoperative year was also recorded. The risk of UTI associated with ADR was analyzed, and receiver operating characteristic curves were drawn to determine the optimal ADR, followed by Cox regression models. In total, 131 recipients were included, with an UTI incidence of 19.08% and a mean interval of 3.08 months. The optimal ADR was 6.34, involving 41 and 90 patients in the low ADR and high ADR groups, respectively. The UTI-free rate in the low ADR group was significantly higher than that in the high ADR group (p = 0.007). Cox regression analysis indicated that a high ADR independently increased the risk of UTI following kidney transplantation (hazard ratio: 5.306, 95% confidence interval: 1.243–22.660, p = 0.024). There was no significant difference in rejection rate between the high ADR and low ADR groups. In conclusion, a high ADR increased the incidence of early postoperative UTI among kidney transplant recipients.

First report of uncommon mycobacteria in post LASIK keratitis: Mycobacterium wolinskyi

Laser assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) surgery is the leading and most performed refractive surgery nowadays. A possible complication of LASIK surgery is infectious keratitis which can lead to disastrous corneal damage and result in permanent loss of vision. LASIK procedures have become increasingly accessible, and the demand for refractive surgery has risen among patients, challenging the medical field to improve the prevention of post-operative infections. Nevertheless, a wide range of pathogens have been described as responsible for post-LASIK keratitis. However, non-tuberculous mycobacterial keratitis remains an infrequent occurrence and is poorly described in the literature. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first ever reported case of post-LASIK keratitis caused by Mycobacterium wolinskyi. We describe the clinical and microbial characteristics, leading to its challenging treatment choice.

Lower extremity osteotomies for limb preservation: Indications, outcomes, and risk factors

ObjectivesTo delineate the key factors associated with treatment success or failure for patients undergoing lower extremity osteotomies to address a spectrum of lower extremity joint and limb deformities at an Integrated Limb Preservation Center (ILPC). MethodsDesign: Retrospective cohort study.Setting: Level I Academic Trauma Center.Patient selection criteria: Patients of the ILPC with at least 1-year of follow-up data regarding previous surgery to correct trauma-or developmental-related deformities between January 1, 2005, and October 1, 2022.Outcome measures and comparisons: Patients were categorized first based on etiology (developmental vs. traumatic) and then based on the nature of deformity (joint, limb, nonunion). Treatment data, demographics including age, sex, body mass index (BMI), tobacco use history, insurance status, marital status, mental health history, and history of comorbidities, concurrent procedures, and post-operative infection, revision, reoperation, and bone healing status were extracted from the medical record and compared. Treatment failure was defined as conversion of the limb preservation surgery (ies) to amputation of any type. Results139 patients were included for analysis; 47 patients in the developmental-related cohort, and 92 patients in the trauma-related cohort. The treatment success rate in terms of preserving the affected limb for patients undergoing lower extremity osteotomies was 94.7 % for the developmental-related cohort and 92.4 % for the traumatic-related cohort. 57.4 % of patients in the developmental-related cohort and 59.8 % of patients in the trauma-related underwent unplanned secondary procedures Concurrent osteomyelitis debridement (p = 0.01) and postoperative infection (p = 0.049) were the only factors measured significantly associated with conversion to amputation. ConclusionsPatients undergoing osteotomies at an ILPC to address developmental-related or trauma-related joint and/or limb deformities experienced high short-term success (>90 %) with respect to preserving the affected limb. However, 56 % of patients required subsequent unplanned surgeries and improvements in PROMs were only statistically significant in patients with trauma-related deformities. Level of evidenceIII.

Cannabis Use Disorder Associated With Increased Risk of Postoperative Complications After Hip or Knee Arthroplasties: A Meta-analysis of Observational Studies.

With the legalization of marijuana in the United States, the number of patients with cannabis use disorder (CUD) in the joint arthroplasty population has increased markedly. The primary purpose of this meta-analysis was to determine whether there were differences in clinical and economic outcomes after total joint arthroplasty (TJA) between patients with and without perioperative CUD. We searched PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science databases up to July 2018 to identify all eligible studies investigating the association of CUD with postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing TJA. Postoperative outcomes assessed consisted of complications, readmission, length of stay (LOS), implant revision, and cost of care. For dichotomous outcomes, pooled odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using a random effects model. We identified 10 retrospective cohort studies with a total of 17,981,628 study participants. Patients with CUD had significantly higher odds of medical complications (OR 1.33 [95% CI 1.07 to 1.66], P = 0.01) and implant-related complications (OR 1.75 [95% CI: 1.64 to 1.88], P < 0.00001) than noncannabis users. Specifically, CUD was associated with significantly increased odds of cardiac complications (OR 1.95 [95% CI 1.50 to 2.54], P < 0.00001), cerebrovascular accidents (OR 2.06 [95% CI 1.66 to 2.57], P < 0.00001), postoperative infections (OR 1.68 [95% CI 1.34 to 2.10], P < 0.00001), periprosthetic fracture (OR 1.42 [95% CI 1.19 to 1.70], P < 0.0001), mechanical loosening (OR 1.54 [95% CI 1.42 to 1.66], P < 0.00001), and dislocation/instability (OR 1.88 [95% CI 1.32 to 2.68], P = 0.0005). Longer LOS and higher cost of care were also found in patients with CUD. This study strengthens the body of evidence that patients with CUD face higher risk of postoperative complications and greater financial burden after knee and hip arthroplasties. Physicians should inform patients about adverse outcomes and undertake appropriate risk adjustments before elective orthopaedic surgery. Level III.

UROPOT: study protocol for a randomized, double-blind phase I/II trial for metabolism-based potentiation of antimicrobial prophylaxis in the urological tract

BackgroundUrinary tract catheters, including Double-J or ureteral stents, are prone to bacterial colonization forming biofilms and leading to asymptomatic bacteriuria. In the context of asymptomatic bacteriuria, endourological procedures causing mucosa-inducing lesions can lead to severe infections. Antibiotic prophylaxis is warranted, yet its efficacy is limited by biofilm formation on stents. Biofilms promote antibiotic tolerance, the capacity of genetically susceptible bacteria to survive a normally lethal dose of antimicrobial therapy. The UROPOT study evaluates the effectiveness of a first-in-type metabolism-based aminoglycoside potentiation for (i) preventing infectious complications of asymptomatic bacteriuria during mucosa lesion-inducing endourological procedures and (ii) assessing its anti-tolerance efficacy.MethodsThe UROPOT trial is a phase I/II single-center (Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), Switzerland) randomized double-blinded trial. Over 2 years, patients with asymptomatic Escherichia coli and/or Klebsiella pneumoniae bacteriuria, undergoing endourological procedures, will be randomly allocated to one of three treatment arms (1:1:1 randomization ratio, 30 patients per group) to evaluate the efficacy of mannitol-potentiated low-dose amikacin compared to established standard treatments (ceftriaxone or amikacin standard dose). Patients will be recruited at the CHUV Urology Outpatient Clinic. The primary outcome is the comparative incidence of postoperative urinary tract infections (assessed at 48 h) between the investigational amikacin/mannitol therapy and standard (ceftriaxone or amikacin) antibiotic prophylaxis, defined by specific systemic symptoms and/or positive blood and/or urine culture. Secondary outcomes include assessing microbiological eradication through anti-biofilm activity, sustained microbiological eradication, and mannitol and antibiotics pharmacokinetics in blood and urine. Safety outcomes will evaluate the incidence of adverse events following amikacin/mannitol therapy and postoperative surgical complications at postoperative day 14.DiscussionUROPOT tests a novel antimicrobial strategy based on “metabolic potentiation” for prophylaxis enabling aminoglycoside dose reduction and targeting biofilm activity. The anti-biofilm effect may prove beneficial, particularly in patients who have a permanent stent in situ needing recurrent endourological manipulations strategies in preventing infections and achieving sustained microbiological eradication in pre-stented patients.Trial registrationThe protocol is approved by the local ethics committee (CER-VD, 2023–01369, protocole 2.0) and the Swiss Agency for Therapeutic Products (Swissmedic, 701,676) and is registered on the NIH’s ClinicalTrials.gov (trial registration number: NCT05761405). Registered on March 07, 2023.

SINGLE INSTITUTION RETROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS OF COMPLICATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH SURGICAL DEBULKING OF BRAIN METASTASIS

Abstract AIMS Surgical resection of brain metastasis is associated with complications, which worsen patient’s quality of life, results in oncological treatment delays and death. Surgical complication data aids decision making, leads to objective risk benefit analysis and informed consent. The aim of this study is to quantify rates, types and risk factors for complications related to surgical debulking of brain metastasis. METHOD Retrospective analysis on adult patients with brain metastasis, who underwent surgical debulking between 2017 and 2023 at Royal Preston Hospital. Data collected included demographics, diagnosis, 30-days post-operative complications, 30-days mortality, 30-days post-operative palliation, primary tumour, Karnofsky-Performance Score (KPS), first vs. repeat resection, use of drain and type of suture materials etc. Univariate analysis was carried out using Graphpad software. RESULTS Two-hundred and twenty-seven patients qualified. The most common primaries were lung (n=93, 41%), breast (n=43, 18.9%), and skin (n=31, 13.7%). The most common complications were Hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) (n=27, 11.9%), surgical site infection (SSI) (n=19, 8.4%), wound dehiscence (n=14, 6.2%), thromboembolic events (n=12, 5.3%) and CSF leak (n=8, 3.5%). Thirty days mortality and post-operative palliation (due to surgical complications) were both 3.5% each (n=8). Two-hundred and six (93.2%) had KPS ³70 whilst 15 (6.8%) had KPS &amp;lt; 70 [range 30-60 pre-operatively (median 60)). KPS &amp;lt; 70 was statistically significant for post-operative palliation (p=0.01), HAP (0=0.02) and urine infection (p=0.002), but not for 30-day mortality. Twenty-five (11.1%) patients undergoing repeat resections, experienced higher wound infections (p=0.002). CONCLUSION Surgical debulking is associated with significant post-operative complications, with 7% either dying or not receiving any further treatment, 18.1% percent developing serious wound complications (SSI, CSF leak, Wound dehiscence) and 19.4% experiencing significant medical complications (HAP/UTI/Thromboembolism). Pre- operative KPS &amp;lt; 70 and repeat resections are associated with statistically increased risk of complications.

Comparison of the efficacy of medial tarsal venous flaps and traditional venous/arterial free flaps in the reconstruction of hand soft tissue defects: A new type of physiological flap.

The treatment of hand soft tissue defects primarily relies on flap reconstruction. However, traditional venous/arterial free flaps have several disadvantages, including damage to the donor site, bruising, discoloration, blister formation, and even necrosis. These issues can significantly impact patient recovery and outcomes. Therefore, there is a need for alternative approaches that minimize these complications and improve overall patient care. To compare the efficacy of medial tarsal venous flaps and traditional venous/arterial free flaps in the reconstruction of hand soft tissue defects, evaluating various clinical outcomes and patient recovery metrics. We screened 30 suitable patients with hand soft tissue defects and randomly assigned them to three groups. Patients in each group were transplanted with either medial tarsal free venous flaps or traditional arterial/venous free flaps to achieve coverage and reconstruction of the soft tissue defects. The results were compared and analyzed using the following metrics: operation time, survival rate, complication rate, pain index, postoperative infection rate, and functional evaluations of both the donor and recipient areas. There was no significant difference in operation time between the medial tarsal free venous flaps and the traditional forearm free venous flaps. The operative time for both types of flaps was shorter than that of the traditional free fibular flap from the hallux. The survival rate of the medial tarsal free venous flaps was comparable to that of the fibular free arterial flaps from the great toes and significantly higher than that of the traditional forearm free venous flaps. The complication rate showed an inverse trend to the survival rate of the flaps. In terms of pain, the pain index for the medial tarsal free venous flaps was significantly lower than that of the fibular free arterial flaps from the hallux and comparable to that of the forearm free venous flaps. Regarding postoperative infection rates, the forearm free venous flap had the highest rate, while there was no significant difference between the medial tarsal free venous flaps and the fibular free arterial flaps from the great toes. The functional recovery of the medial tarsal free venous flaps was good in both the donor and recipient areas. There was no poor functional performance in the donor areas of the fibular free arterial flaps from the hallux or the recipient areas of the forearm free venous flaps. The medial tarsal free venous flaps effectively avoid the disadvantages of traditional venous and arterial free flaps, combining their advantages. These flaps offer shorter operative times, higher survival rates, and lower pain indices. They also provide excellent functional recovery in both donor and recipient areas. Thus, medial tarsal free venous flaps represent an ideal solution for reconstructing hand soft tissue defects.

Relationship between soft tissue envelope thickness of the lower extremity and acute periprosthetic joint infection of the knee.

The prevalence of obesity is increasing worldwide and it is known to be associated with many postoperative complications, including infection. Patients' body fat distribution may vary and body mass index (BMI) does not provide sufficient information about adipose tissue thickness of the lower extremities. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between thigh diameters and early postoperative prosthesis-related joint infections (PJI) in patients who underwent arthroplasty. The study included 76 patients and 114 knees who were operated on by a single surgeon and underwent total knee arthroplasty (TKA) due to primary knee osteoarthritis between May 2022 and September 2023 in a tertiary reference hospital. Circumference of the thickest part of the operated thigh (cm), preoperative erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, height, weight, BMI and the presence of early postoperative prosthesis-related joint infections were evaluated. The mean BMI was 32.6 ± 4.2 (kg/m2). Two (2.6%) were normal weight, 14 (18.5%) were overweight, 58 (76.3%) were obese and 2 (2.6%) were morbidly obese. The mean circumference of the thickest part of the thigh was 57.56 ± 6.38 (cm). 6 patients were diagnosed with PJI in the acute phase. The mean circumference of the thickest part of the thigh was statistically significantly greater in the group with acute PJI compared to the group without PJI (p = 0.048). The incidence of acute PJI was found to be significantly higher in patients with larger thigh diameters, whereas no such relationship was observed for BMI. The incorporation of preoperative soft tissue envelope measurements into routine clinical examination may prove beneficial in reducing the risk of PJI.

Comparison of two modeling approaches for the identification of predictors of complications in children with cerebral palsy following spine surgery

BackgroundChildren with non-ambulatory cerebral palsy (CP) frequently develop progressive neuromuscular scoliosis and require surgical intervention. Due to their comorbidities, they are at high risk for developing peri- and post-operative complications. The objectives of this study were to compare stepwise and LASSO variable selection techniques for consistency in identifying predictors when modelling these post-operative complications and to identify potential predictors of respiratory complications and infections following spine surgery among children with CP.MethodsIn this retrospective cohort study, a large administrative claims database was queried to identify children who met the following criteria: 1) ≤ 25 years old, 2) diagnosis of CP, 3) underwent surgery during the study period, 4) had ≥ 12-months pre-operative, and 5) ≥ 3-months post-operative continuous health plan enrollment. Outcome measures included the development of a post-operative respiratory complication (e.g., pneumonia, aspiration pneumonia, atelectasis, pleural effusion, pneumothorax, pulmonary edema) or an infection (e.g., surgical site infection, urinary tract infection, meningitis, peritonitis, sepsis, or septicemia) within 3 months of surgery. Codes were used to identify CP, surgical procedures, medical comorbidities and the development of post-operative respiratory complications and infections. Two approaches to variable selection, stepwise and LASSO, were compared to determine which potential predictors of respiratory complications and infection development would be identified using each approach.ResultsThe sample included 220 children. During the 3-month follow-up, 21.8% (n = 48) developed a respiratory complication and 12.7% (n = 28) developed an infection. The prevalence of 11 variables including age, sex and 9 comorbidities were initially considered to be potential predictors based on the intended outcome of interest. Model discrimination utilizing LASSO for variable selection was slightly improved over the stepwise regression approach. LASSO resulted in retention of additional comorbidities that may have meaningful associations to consider for future studies, including gastrointestinal issues, bladder dysfunction, epilepsy, anemia and coagulation deficiency.ConclusionsPotential predictors of the development of post-operative complications were identified in this study and while identified predictors were similar using stepwise and LASSO regression approaches, model discrimination was slightly improved with LASSO. Findings will be used to inform future research processes determining which variables to consider for developing risk prediction models.

Does the suturing technique (barbed continuous versus conventional interrupted) impact the outcome of anastomotic urethroplasty?

To evaluate and compare continuous suture (CS) and interrupted suture (IS) techniques applied in excision and primary anastomosis (EPA) urethroplasty in terms of surgical success and complication rates. A retrospective evaluation was conducted on patients with bulbar urethral strictures measuring ≤ 2.5cm who underwent EPA between April 2020 and December 2022. Patients with a history of urethral reconstruction, multiple strictures, a history of pelvic radiotherapy, a diagnosis of Lichen sclerosis, a history of surgery due to congenital penile curvature or Peyronie's disease, and a follow-up period of less than 12months were excluded. The patients were divided into two groups according to the suture technique used (CS or IS), and the groups were compared for demographic and perioperative data. A total of 97 patients (CS n = 52, IS n = 55) were included in the sample. The mean age of the entire patient group was calculated to be 56.2years and the mean stricture length was 19.3mm. Operation time and postoperative catheter time were shorter in the CS group (94.7 ± 7.3 vs. 117.2 ± 5.7min and 9.9 ± 1.6 vs. 15.8 ± 1.9min, p < 0.001, respectively). The groups were similar regarding anatomical success, stress urinary incontinence, penile numbness, curvature, and postoperative infection (p > 0.05). No significant difference was observed in terms of success or complications between the CS and IS techniques employed during EPA urethroplasty. However, in addition to reducing the operation time, the CS technique offers the advantage of safely removing the urethral catheter earlier.

Body Mass Index and the Risk of Postoperative Complications After Total Knee Arthroplasty.

Given the growing prevalence of obesity, it is crucial to understand the effect of obesity on complications after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). This study aims to assess the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and postoperative periprosthetic joint infection (PJI), medical complications, and surgical complications after TKA. The Premier Healthcare Database was used to identify all primary elective TKAs between 2016 and 2021. The primary outcome was risk of PJI within 90 days of surgery. Using logistic regression, restricted cubic splines were generated to assess the relationship between BMI as a continuous variable and PJI risk. Bootstrap simulation was then done to identify a BMI inflection point on the final restricted cubic spline model past which the risk of PJI increased. The relationship between BMI and composite 90-day medical and surgical complications was also assessed. A direct relationship was observed between increasing BMI and increasing risk of PJI with a BMI changepoint of 31 kg/m2 identified as being associated with increased risk. Above a BMI of 31 kg/m2, there was an average relative risk increase of PJI of 13.6% for every unit BMI. This relative risk per unit BMI increased from 5.8% for BMI 31 to 39 to 11.5% between BMI 40 and 49 kg/m2, and 21.3% for BMIs ≥50 kg/m2. Similarly, a direct relationship was also found between increasing BMI and both medical and surgical complications with BMI changepoints of 34 and 32 kg/m2 identified, respectively. Obese patients with a BMI >31 kg/m2 were at increased risk of PJI. Although the relative risk increase was small per unit BMI above 31 kg/m2, the cumulative increase in risk may be marked for patients with higher BMIs. These data should be used to inform discussions that involve shared decision making between patients and surgeons who weigh the risks and benefits of surgery.

Effectiveness of Preoperative Antiseptic Preparation in Transnasal Skull Base Surgery: A Randomized Three-Arm Controlled Trial

Objective: Transnasal skull-base surgery is a complex and invasive procedure that involves the use of preoperative antiseptic preparations. However, evidence supporting their use in preventing postoperative infectious complications is limited. The aim of this study is to assess the efficacy of preoperative antiseptic techniques in reducing postoperative infectious complications within 30 days of surgery. Methods: A multicenter, prospective, randomized, single-blind, three-arm trial was conducted from February 2019 to October 2021. Participants were randomized to either of three antiseptic preparation techniques: external 0.9%NaCl nasal preparation, external 0.05% chlorhexidine gluconate, or intranasal irrigation with 80 mg of gentamicin added to 1000 ml of 0.9%NaCl plus external nasal preparation with chlorhexidine gluconate 0.05%. A total of 130 adults with skull-base pathologies were randomized, 12 were excluded before randomization for failure to meet inclusion criteria (n=9) or refusal to participate (n=3). We excluded patients with evidence of infection adjacent to the surgical site, allergies to preparation methods, those who underwent craniotomy during the same admission, and pediatric patients. Results: The mean age of participants was 43.26±14.45 years. Nine patients developed postoperative infections (meningitis, n=8; sinusitis, n=2). Among the factors studied, length of surgery (p=0.002), perioperative CSF diversion (p=0.01), chordoma (p=0.004), extended approach (p=0.026), and postoperative CSF leak (p=0.025) were significantly associated with postoperative infections. There were no clinically meaningful or significant differences in the studied intervention groups regarding postoperative infectious complications. Conclusion: Preoperative antiseptic techniques failed to prefer one application to prevent postoperative infectious complications in patients who underwent endoscopic transnasal skull-base surgery.

Does More Invasive Surgery Result in Higher Patient Satisfaction? A Long-Term Follow-Up of 136 Zygomaticomaxillary Complex Fractures.

Retrospective with follow-up. To evaluate the long-term satisfaction of surgically treated patients with zygomaticomaxillary complex (ZMC) fractures in relation to the use of internal fixation, number of fixation points, and orbital floor (OF) reconstruction. Secondary objectives were to describe the use of antibiotics and post-operative infections. Patients with unilateral ZMC fractures between 2007-2018 and treatment with either open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) or closed reduction (CR) were identified from medical records and invited to follow-ups between 2018-2020. Patients were examined, photographed, and completed a questionnaire. A review panel of 3 experienced surgeons evaluated photographs and computed tomography (CT) scans pre- and post-surgery. The study sample consisted of 136 patients (108 ORIF, 28 CR) with a median follow-up time of 76 months. Patient satisfaction of surgical outcome was high (97.8%), with no significant differences in relation to the use of internal fixation, number of fixation points, or OF reconstruction. Dissatisfaction was primarily related to hypoesthesia. On post-operative CT scans, malar asymmetry was more often predicted in patients with 1-point fixations. On questionnaires and photographs, malar asymmetry was more common in patients with 3-point fixations. Prophylactic antibiotics had no effect on the rate of post-operative infections. Patient satisfaction was not influenced by internal fixation, number of fixation points, or OF reconstruction. Selected ZMC fractures can be treated with less invasive approaches. Caution should be observed when predicting long-term malar asymmetry on post-operative CT scans. The findings of this study highlight the importance of a rational and ethical use of surgery.

Microflora of Secretions in a Surgical Hospital of Orthopedics and Traumatology Profile for 2021-2023 (SI “ITO NAMS of Ukraine”)

Summary. Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), namely, surgical site infections, early postoperative and subsequent in-hospital infections, are the most common undesirable phenomenon in the world. According to statistics, at least one case of HAIs is diagnosed in every 100 hospitalized patients in hospitals of 7 developed and 15 other countries of the world at any given time. The occurrence of such complications during the treatment of a patient in a hospital leads to the need of additional diagnostic tests, additional courses of antibiotics, and unplanned surgical intervention. Worsening of the prognosis of treatment may occur due to the formation of the so-called resistant microflora in such patients, with a real probability of spreading the infection in the hospital. Prevention of HAIs in practice occurs through planned infection control in operating rooms and procedure rooms in clinical departments and qualified timely diagnostic work of certified microbiological laboratories in hospitals. Objective. The objective of the study was to determine the spectrum of microflora of secretions for three years (2021-2023) in orthopedic and trauma patients due to changes in modern injuries received more often because of military aggression and to propose the identified differences as criteria for prescribing antibacterial drugs in complex inpatient treatment. The work shows that over the past three years (2021-2023), the ratio of gram-positive and gram-negative microorganisms in the study material almost did not change and averaged 1.65. The peculiarity of the analyzed period was an increase in the number of methicillin-resistant staphylococci by 1.3 times. The spectrum of gram-negative clinical strains has changed, namely, the number of Kl.pneumoniae clinical strains with a high level of polyresistance has increased by 2.5 times. The obtained data made it possible to identify the spectrum of microflora of secretions in orthopedic and trauma patients with modern infectious complications, which prompts us to make changes in the standards of antibacterial treatment protocols, and to plan the needs for certain antibiotics in hospitals with personalization of their prescription to improve the effectiveness of treatment and reduce the risk of development of antimicrobial resistance.

Pre-Operative Management of the Penicillin Allergic Patient: A Narrative Review

Penicillin is a frequently reported medication allergy. The beta-lactam ring shared between cephalosporins and penicillin often leads to the use of alternative antibiotics for surgical prophylaxis due to concern for cross-reactivity, despite a true IgE-mediated hypersensitivity being very rare. This misconception leads to the use of less effective second line antibiotics, such as clindamycin or vancomycin, for penicillin-allergic patients which has been shown to increase odds of postoperative infection in elective knee arthroplasty, shoulder arthroplasty and spine surgery. Preoperative penicillin allergy testing has been demonstrated to be a cost-effective measure in the prevention of prosthetic joint infection and is suggested for all penicillin-allergic patients in the peri-operative setting. This review highlights and summaries the outcomes of orthopaedic procedures in patients with reported penicillin allergies and discusses potential solutions to the perioperative challenges of patients with reported penicillin allergies.

Impacted third molar surgery in older patients—Is patient´s age really a risk factor for complications?

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to analyze the influence of patients´ age on perioperative complications in impacted third molar surgery and how established risk factors are affected by age.Materials and methodsThe clinical findings, digital panoramic radiographs and perioperative data of 200 patients (554 impacted third molars) that had been subjected to tooth extraction, from July 2023 until July 2024, were analyzed. Perioperative complications (Inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) hypesthesia, oroantral communication (OAC), lingual nerve (LN) hypesthesia, postoperative bleeding, postoperative infection) as well as impaction patterns and risk factors (angulation type, bone coverage, depth- and risk scores) were analyzed by age (cut-off 30 years).ResultsThe population was divided into two groups by age (Group A = ≥ 30 years (n = 52) vs. Group B = < 30 years (n = 148)). Upper third molars showed significantly deeper bone coverage, higher depth scores, higher risk scores and different angulation types in patients aged < 30 years. Mandibular third molars showed significantly deeper bone coverage, higher depth scores, higher risk scores according and different angulation types in patients aged ≥ 30 years. However, IAN hypesthesia, LN hypesthesia, postoperative bleeding and postoperative infection did not show any significant differences regarding patients’ age.ConclusionThe current findings suggest that age (cut-off 30 years) does not statistically correlate with a higher risk for postoperative complications in impacted third molar surgery in contrast to recent publications.Clinical relevanceIn contrast to recent publications, the present study falsified a positive correlation between patients’ age and the occurrence of postoperative complications in impacted third molar surgery. Therefore, other risk factors should be investigated in order to minimize these procedure specific complications.

The impact of femoral/internal jugular vein selection on postoperative infection in central vein cannulation of newborns undergoing cardiac surgery.

In the low-weight newborn patient group, the development of catheter related bloodstream infections after cardiac surgery significantly impacts morbidity and mortality. In our study, the effects of choosing femoral or internal jugular vein localization in newborns on postoperative infection will be examined. Our hypothesis is that there may be a higher risk of catheter related bloodstream infections in the femoral region. This study was conducted retrospectively on newborn cases who underwent congenital heart surgery between September 1, 2020, and March 1, 2022. The cases were divided into 2 groups: those with central catheters inserted in the femoral and in internal jugular veins. Postoperative infection parameters were examined and the results were statistically evaluated. The study was conducted with a total of 201 newborn cases, of which 61.2% (n = 123) were male and 38.8% (n = 78) were female. The age of the cases ranged from 0 to 1 month, with a mean of 12 ± 9 days. Weight measurements ranged from 1.8 to 5.5 kg, with a mean of 3.20 ± 0.66 kg. Central catheters were placed in the femoral vein (FV) region in 71.6% of the babies (n = 144) and in the internal jugular vein region in 28.4% (n = 57). When culture results were examined between postoperative days 3 to 14, blood culture tests were positive in 12.4% (n = 25). The most common bacteria in positive cases were Klebsiella spp. (n = 13) and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (n = 5). There was no statistically significant difference in blood culture results between the groups (P > .05). Changes in white blood cells, C-reactive protein, and procalcitonin measurements between preoperative and postoperative day 3 did not show statistically significant difference between the groups (P > .05). According to the results of our study, the placement of FV and internal jugular vein in neonates undergoing cardiac surgery did not differ in terms of postoperative infection risk. With appropriate sterilization, preventive measures and care considerations, FV or internal jugular vein region may be preferred based on the practitioner's expertise and choice in this patient group.

Transperineal minimally invasive surgery during laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection for low rectal cancer could improve short-term outcomes: A single-institution retrospective cohort study.

Transperineal minimally invasive surgery (TpMIS) during laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection (APR) is an emerging approach that allows for the precise treatment of lower rectal cancer. However, evidence regarding the efficacy of TpMIS is insufficient. This study evaluated the efficacy of TpMIS during laparoscopic APR for patients with lower rectal cancer. Patients who underwent laparoscopic APR with TpMIS (TpMIS group; n = 12) and those who underwent conventional laparoscopic APR for low rectal cancer (conventional group; n = 13) were enrolled consecutively in this retrospective study. Standardized TpMIS was performed at our institution. Patient and tumor characteristics and intraoperative, postoperative, and pathological outcomes were compared between groups. The primary outcome was postoperative perineal wound infection. No patients in the TpMIS group experienced postoperative perineal wound infection; however, five (38.5%) patients in the conventional group experienced postoperative perineal wound infection (significant difference; p = 0.016). The estimated blood loss (median, 81mL vs. 463mL) and incidence of postoperative urinary dysfunction (8.3% vs. 46.1%) were significantly lower in the TpMIS group than in the conventional group. The postoperative hospital stay (median, 13 vs. 20days) of the TpMIS group was significantly shorter than that of the conventional group. Pathological outcomes did not differ between groups. The positive circumferential resection margin rates of the TpMIS and conventional groups were 8.3% and 15.4%, respectively. TpMIS during laparoscopic APR was associated with significant improvements in the postoperative outcomes of patients with low rectal cancer.

Factors affecting fat myringoplasty in elderly patients with chronic otitis media: A case control study

BackgroundWe compared and analyzed the surgical results of fat myringoplasty between elderly and young adult patients with chronic otitis media. We also investigated whether underlying diseases and other factors impact the surgical outcome.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed the data of 141 patients who underwent fat myringoplasty for chronic otitis media for five years. They were compared by age, sex, underlying disease, perforation size, pre- and postoperative pure tone audiometry, postoperative otorrhea, postoperative re-perforation, and cause of re-perforation.ResultPostoperative re-perforation was more common in the elderly group, albeit with no significant difference (p = 0.072). The factors affecting re-perforation were insufficient fat graft (44.4%), postoperative infection (33.3%), and nasal blowing (22.2%). Our findings revealed no significant association between preoperative perforation size and re-perforation (p = 0.391). Additionally, we found no significant relationship between hypertension and re-perforation (p > 0.99), nor between age group and postoperative infection (p = 0.488). Diabetes was also not significant (p = 0.640). Following surgery, both groups exhibited a significant improvement in hearing.ConclusionAlthough age and underlying conditions play significant roles in the healing process, our results suggest that external factors such as infection, nasal blowing, cough, and insufficient grafted fat tissue have a similarly significant impact on surgical outcomes in elderly patients with COM as they do in adults. In conclusion, the decision to perform surgery in elderly patients with COM should be based on a comprehensive assessment of the patient’s overall health status, hearing, use of hearing aids, and the indications for surgery.