Surgical Site Infection Rates Research Articles

International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium (INICC) report of health care-associated infections, data summary of 25 countries for 2014 to 2023, Surgical Site Infections Module

Surgical site infection (SSI) rates are higher in low-resource countries (LRC) than in high-income counterparts. Prospective cohort study using the INICC Surveillance Online System, from 116 hospitals in 75 cities across 25 Latin-American, Asian, Eastern-European, and Middle-Eastern countries: Argentina, Bahrain, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Honduras, India, Kosovo, Kuwait, Lebanon, Mexico, Mongolia, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Poland, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Turkey, Venezuela, Vietnam. CDC/NHSN definitions were applied. Surgical procedures (SPs) were categorized according to the International Classification of Diseases criteria. From 2014 to 2023, we collected data on 1,251 SSIs associated with 56,617 SPs. SSI rates were significantly higher in SPs of INICC compared to CDC/NHSN data: hip prosthesis (3.68% vs 0.67%, relative risk [RR]=5.46, 95% confidence interval [CI]=3.71-8.03, P<.001), knee prosthesis (2.02% vs 0.58%, RR=3.49, 95% CI=1.87-6.49, P<.001), coronary artery bypass (4.16% vs 1.37%, RR=3.03, 95% CI=2.35-3.91, P<.001), peripheral vascular bypass (15.69% vs 2.93%, RR=5.35, 95% CI=2.30-12.48, P<.001), abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (8.51% vs 2.12%, RR=4.02, 95% CI=2.11-7.65, P<.001), spinal fusion (6.47% vs 0.70%, RR=9.27, 95% CI=6.21-13.84, P<.001), laminectomy (2.68% vs 0.72%, RR=3.75, 95% CI=2.36-5.95, P<.001), among others. Elevated SSI rates in LRCs emphasize the need for effective interventions.

Comparison of Transumbilical Laparoscopy-Assisted Appendectomy with Conventional Three-Port Laparoscopic Appendectomy Performed by Pediatric Surgeons in Training for Appendicitis in Children.

Background: Transumbilical laparoscopy-assisted appendectomy (TULAA) is the technique of choice for all types of appendicitis. However, the technique is challenging for trainees to learn in comparison with performing conventional three-port laparoscopic appendectomy (CTPLA) in children. We aimed to compare the surgical outcomes of children with appendicitis treated by TULAA versus CTPLA performed by pediatric surgeons in training (PSITs). Materials and Methods: This retrospective study analyzed pediatric patients with acute appendicitis treated with CTPLA or TULAA between April 2016 and December 2022. Operative time (OT: minutes), pneumoperitoneum time (PT: minutes), blood loss (milliliter), length of hospital stay (days), and surgical site infection rate were compared between the two groups. Operative outcomes were also analyzed according to type of appendicitis such as uncomplicated and complicated cases. Results: Two hundred twenty-five laparoscopic appendectomies were performed by CTPLA (n = 94) or TULAA (n = 131). All cases were performed by PSITs and there was no open conversion cases. TULAA had a shorter OT (67.0 ± 28.4 versus 78.3 ± 21.7; P < .01) and PT (26.1 ± 17.4 versus 52.5 ± 22.1 min; P < .01). The surgical site infection rate was slightly higher in the TULAA group, but the difference was not statistically significant. In uncomplicated appendicitis (n = 164), significant differences between the CTPLA and TULAA groups were observed in OT (CTPLA versus TULAA: 70.7 ± 14.9 versus 59.1 ± 21.6, P < .01) and PT (CTPLA versus TULAA: 43.6 ± 13.1 versus 20.4 ± 13.6, P < .01). With regard to postoperative complications, only surgical site infection was significantly different between the CTPLA and TULAA groups (CTPLA: 0.0% versus TULAA: 8.2%, P < .05). In complicated cases (n = 61), there were significant differences between the groups in PT (CTPLA versus TULAA: 73.4 ± 24.9 versus 42.3 ± 17.2, P < .01) and length of hospital stay (CTPLA versus TULAA: 7.0 ± 1.3 versus 8.9 ± 4.7, P < .05). Conclusions: TULAA had a shorter OT and PT than CTPLA. TULAA for PSITs shows similar safety and feasibility to CTPLA for not only uncomplicated cases but also complicated cases.

879 Comparison of Perioperative and Long-Term Outcomes Following PEEK and Autologous Cranioplasty: A Single Institution Experience

INTRODUCTION: Cranioplasty is a common neurosurgical procedure to correct congenital or acquired skull defects. Three-dimensionally (3D) printed polyether-ether-ketone (PEEK) implants are a relatively novel option for cranioplasty that has gained popularity in recent years. However, there is ongoing debate with respect to this material’s efficacy and safety compared to autologous bone grafts. The purpose of this study was to offer our institution’s experience and add to the growing body of literature on the topic. METHODS: A single-institution retrospective analysis of patients undergoing cranioplasties between 2016 and 2021 was performed. Patients were divided into PEEK and autologous cranioplasty cohorts. Parameters of interest included patient demographics as well as perioperative (&lt;3 months postoperative) and long-term outcomes (&gt;3 months postoperative). A p-value &lt;0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: A total of 31 patients met inclusion criteria (PEEK: 15, Autologous: 16). Mean age of the entire cohort was 51.7 years (range 19-81 years). Baseline demographics using the modified frailty index (mFI) revealed greater rate of comorbidities in the autologous group (p = 0.073), which was accounted for in statistical analyses. Multiple logistic regression model revealed a significantly higher rate of surgical site infection during the immediate postoperative period in the autologous cohort (31.3% vs. 0%, p = 0.011). Otherwise, perioperative and long-term complication profiles were similar between groups. Additionally, a generalized linear model demonstrated that both cohorts had similar mean hospital length of stay (LoS) (autologous: 16.1 vs. PEEK: 10.7 days). CONCLUSIONS: PEEK cranioplasty implants may offer a more favorable perioperative complication profile with similar long-term complication rates and hospital LoS compared to autologous bone implants. Future studies are warranted to confirm our findings in larger series, and further examine the utility of PEEK in cranioplasty.

412 Incisional Negative Pressure Wound Therapy Following Posterior Instrumented Spinal Fusion: A Single Surgeon’s Experience and Cost-Benefit Analysis

INTRODUCTION: Surgical site infections (SSIs) following spine surgery are associated with significant morbidity and resource utilization. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed all patients who received posterior instrumented spinal fusion by the senior author between July 2017 and December 2019 at a Level I trauma center. Statistical analysis was performed using Chi-square and Student’s t-tests. RESULTS: A total of 85 patients with standard surgical dressings and 144 patients with iNPWT were included for analysis. Patients in the iNPWT group were significantly older (61.8 vs. 58.5 years, p = 0.042) and more likely to be diabetic (36.8% vs. 23.5%, p = 0.037). Surgeries in the iNPWT group were associated with significantly greater blood loss (1298 mL vs. 998 mL, p = 0.036) and involved more instrumented levels (6.6 vs. 4.9, p &lt; 0.0001). Prophylactic iNPWT use was associated with significantly lower rates of wound dehiscence (21.5% vs. 34.1%, p = 0.036) and SSI requiring operative treatment (8.3% vs. 21.2%, p = 0.005). The incidence of wound dehiscence requiring operative wound revision was lower with iNPWT (14.6% vs. 24.7%, p = 0.056), though it did not reach statistical significance. Number needed to treat (NNT) with iNPWT to prevent one SSI was 7.79. The cost of preventing one operative SSI was $5,096. Cost-benefit analysis demonstrated a potential mean savings of $26,149 per operative SSI and $326,862 per 100 patients undergoing posterior instrumented spinal fusion with iNPWT. CONCLUSIONS: Prophylactic iNPWT use significantly reduced rates of wound dehiscence, SSI requiring operative treatment, and affords a potential SSI-related cost savings of $326,862 per 100 patients treated.

Critically Evaluating the Role for Postoperative Antibiotics in Patients Undergoing Urethroplasty With Buccal Mucosa Graft: A Claims Database Analysis

ObjectivesTo compare outcomes among patients undergoing first-time urethroplasty with buccal mucosa graft (BMG) who receive post-operative antibiotics versus those who do not. MethodsA retrospective cohort study was conducted using the TriNetX claims database between 2008-2022. Using CPT, ICD10, and LOINC codes, patients >18 years old undergoing primary urethroplasty with BMG who received an outpatient prescription for antibiotics between post-operative day 0-30 or did not were queried. Patients with positive pre-operative urine culture or urinary tract infection (UTI) within 30 days pre-operatively were excluded. Surgical outcomes included 5-year revision rates and revision-free survival. Safety outcomes included new UTI within 30 days, surgical site infection (SSI) within 90 days, or Clostridium difficile infection within 30 days of urethroplasty. ResultsWe identified 884 patients (81% antibiotic cohort, 19% non-antibiotic cohort) that met inclusion criteria. Age at time of urethroplasty, suprapubic tube presence, and pre-existing medical comorbidities were comparable between cohorts (Table 1A). There was no difference in 5-year rates and revision-free survival for endoscopic revision (11.5% vs. 9.5%, RR 1.2, 95% CI [0.7, 2.0], RFS log-rank p=0.6), re-do urethroplasty (12.9% vs. 13.7%, RR 0.9, 95% CI [0.6, 1.5], RFS log-rank p=0.7), or all-cause revision (19.8% vs. 17.7%, RR 1.1, 95% CI [0.8, 1.6], p=0.5) between groups. Post-operative rates of UTI, SSI, and Clostridium difficile infection were similar between groups. ConclusionsIn this large retrospective cohort study of patients undergoing urethroplasty with BMG, we observed no significant benefit from use of post-operative antibiotics on long-term revision rates or perioperative infectious complications.

Obesity Portends Increasing Rates of Superficial Surgical Site Infection Following Pediatric Reduction Mammoplasty: A National Surgical Database Analysis.

Pediatric reduction mammoplasty has become increasingly common due to the obesity epidemic. While obesity remains the leading cause of macromastia leading to surgery, it may also be a risk factor for postoperative complications. This study examines the safety of pediatric reduction mammoplasty and the risk of obesity for complications following this procedure. The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Pediatrics was queried to obtain all reduction mammoplasty cases from 2012 to 2020. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses controlling for confounders were carried out to assess the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and rates of complication. One thousand five hundred eighty-nine patients with the primary Current Procedural Terminology code 19318 were included in the final analysis. The mean age was 16.6 (SD, 1.1) years, and the mean BMI was 30.5 (SD, 6.2) lb/in2. Notably, 49% of the patients were obese, and 31% were overweight, while only 0.4% were underweight. Forty-three patients (2.7%) sustained a superficial surgical site infection (SSI) postoperatively. Other complications were less prevalent, including deep SSI (4 patients, 0.3%), dehiscence (11, 0.7%), reoperation (21, 1%), and readmission (26, 1.6%).Independent variables analyzed included age, sex, BMI, diabetes mellitus, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class, and operative time, of which only BMI and ASA class were found to be significantly associated with SSI on univariate analysis. On multivariate logistic regression while controlling for ASA class and the false discovery rate, there was a strong association between increasing rates of superficial SSI and increasing BMI (unit odds ratio, 1.05; 95% confidence interval, [1.01, 1.09]; P = 0.02). The OR indicates that for each 1-unit increase in BMI, the odds of SSI increase by 5%. Complications following pediatric reduction mammoplasty are uncommon, demonstrating the safety of this procedure. High BMI was found to have a significantly higher risk for superficial SSI. Increased caution and infection prophylaxis should be taken when performing this operation on obese patients.

The Effect of Vancomycin and Tobramycin Local Antibiotic Powder on Surgical Site Infections After Open Treatment of Fracture: A Retrospective Propensity-Matched Analysis.

The aim of this study was to compare the effect of vancomycin/tobramycin local antibiotic powder (LAP) on surgical site infections (SSIs) after open treatment of fractures. This was a retrospective comparative study with propensity matching. The study was set in an urban level 1 trauma center. Patients undergoing open procedures for fracture performed by a single surgeon before and after cessation of routine LAP use were included. Deep and superficial SSIs were the measured outcomes. There were 652 open procedures for fracture performed by a single surgeon: LAP was used in 36.7% (114/310) of procedures before stopping its use, after which 342 procedures were performed without LAP. Comparison of all procedures performed with and without routine LAP use demonstrated no difference in infection rates, although there was a trend for the group without LAP to have fewer superficial SSIs (proportional difference [PD] -2.0%, 95% confidence interval [CI] -4.1% to 0.1%; P = 0.05) and more deep SSIs (PD 3.9%, 95% CI, -0.2% to 7.9%; P = 0.06). Prematch analysis demonstrated that LAP use was associated with external fixation (PD 8.5%, 95% CI, 1.6%-16.2%; P = 0.005), longer operative times (median difference 56.0 minutes, 95% CI, 39.0-74.0; P < 0.0001), greater estimated blood loss (median difference 70.0, 95% CI, 50.0-100.0; P < 0.0001), and no difference in superficial (PD 2.4%; 95% CI, -0.8% to 6.8%; P = 0.07) or deep SSIs (PD -1.6%, 95% CI, -6.2% to 4.1%; P = 0.54). After propensity matching (108 vs. 108) to control for the above differences, the LAP group, compared with the no LAP group, had no difference in superficial SSIs and was less likely to have deep SSIs (PD -8.3%, 95% CI, -16.2% to -0.2%; P = 0.04). The use of vancomycin and tobramycin LAP lowered the rate of deep SSIs after open treatment of fractures on propensity-matched analysis. Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Preventing Surgical Site Infections in Geriatric Ankle Fracture Surgery with Closed-Incision Vacuum Therapy: A Pilot Study.

Ankle fractures are among the most common fractures in older adult patients that need surgical treatment. The risk of surgical site infections (SSIs) after ankle fracture surgery ranges between 0.5% and 30%; SSI incidence is higher among older adults. Further, SSIs have significant consequences for subjective functional outcomes and create a need for prolonged intravenous antibiotic therapy and wound care. Accordingly, it is critical to determine risk factors for and establish optimal postoperative wound care to prevent SSIs. The aim of the pilot study was to examine the feasibility of closed-incision vacuum therapy (CIVT) to reduce rates of SSI in older adults. The authors performed a pilot study of a CIVT system in a population of 10 older adult patients after ankle fracture surgery. Nine patients experienced uncomplicated wound healing of the lateral incision. One patient (10%) developed an SSI after premature removal of the vacuum system because of technical failure. Six weeks postoperation, overall satisfaction with the CIVT was high; none of the participants complained of incapacitating discomfort or disruptive limitations in postsurgical recovery. The authors conclude that CIVT is a feasible, safe, and generally well-tolerated therapy to prevent SSIs in postoperative wound healing after open reduction and internal fixation in older adult patients after ankle fracture.

Comparative study of elective cholecystectomy with and without antimicrobial prophylaxis: A prospective randomized study

Background: Cholecystectomy is one of the most common, clean, and contaminated surgery operations performed by surgeons worldwide. Antibiotic prophylaxis in elective cholecystectomy is a controversial issue and our study was undertaken to evaluate the rate of infection and the usefulness and efficacy of antibiotic prophylaxis in elective cholecystectomies. Aims and Objectives: The aims and objectives are to study antimicrobial prophylaxis on elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy and to compare surgical site infections (SSI) between the two groups after laparoscopic cholecystectomy with respect to (a) duration of surgery, (b) post-operative pain, (c) complications encountered, and (d) post-operative hospital stay. Materials and Methods: Patients were randomly divided into the study group (Group A) and the control group (Group B). Antibiotic dose of ceftriaxone + sulbactam 1.5 g will be administered intravenously 2 h before induction of anesthesia for the patients in the study Group A (n=30), and no antibiotic will be administered prophylactically to the control Group B (n=30). Results: In the study group, one patient developed fever, and in the control Group, 4 patients developed fever. In this study, SSIs were considered. In the study group, two patients (6.67%) developed pus discharge from the port site which was considered superficial infection, and in the control group, five patients (16.67%) developed pus discharge. Conclusion: Based on our study, in elective cholecystectomy, a single dose of intravenous ceftriaxone + salbactam 1.5 g given before the operative procedure does not lead to a higher SSI rate as compared to the conventionally given antibiotics which are continued postoperatively for a variable length of time.

Real-World Evidence of the Impact of a Novel Surgical Irrigant on Surgical Site Infections in Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty Performed at an Ambulatory Surgery Center.

Background: Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is one of the most common inpatient and outpatient surgical procedures performed in the United States and is predicted to increase 401% by 2040. Surgical site infections (SSIs) at an incidence rate of approximately 2% are costly post-operative complications in TKA. Intra-operative surgical irrigants are used to decrease contaminating microbial bioburden within the surgical site to prevent SSI. The primary objective of this retrospective study was to evaluate the impact of a novel surgical irrigant called XPERIENCE® Advanced Surgical Irrigation (XP; Next Science, Jacksonville, FL) on SSI incidence in primary TKA performed at an ambulatory surgery center (ASC). Patients and Methods: Primary TKAs were performed at a free-standing ASC. The novel surgical irrigant was used intra-operatively to rinse away debris and micro-organisms from the surgical site. Retrospective data collation included SSI rates, complication rates, and re-admissions due to SSI within 90 days of index surgery. Results: Among the 524 primary TKA surgeries, one peri-prosthetic joint infection (PJI) was diagnosed within 90 days of index surgery and one superficial incisional SSI was diagnosed within 30 days of index surgery. The PJI was attributed to an exogenously acquired upper respiratory tract infection rather than due to the failure of intra-operative regimes. The 0.19% PJI incidence rate indicated significant efficacy of XP in decreasing PJI. An overall complication rate of 7.82% was noted with none of the complications associated with usage of the novel surgical irrigant. Conclusions: XPERIENCE is a promising intra-operative antimicrobial irrigant that can be easily incorporated into a broader infection prevention strategy.

A Collaborative Quality Improvement Project to Reduce Surgical Site Infection in Cesarean Delivery.

Cesarean delivery (CD) facilitates delivery of the baby through an incision and is performed in situations where vaginal delivery poses risks to the mother, baby, or both. Over 1.2 million CDs are performed in the United States annually. An interdisciplinary council was created to drive regular data analysis and sharing, interdisciplinary collaboration, and standardized processes to reduce surgical site infections (SSI) following CD. The standardized infection ratio (SIR), a summary measure used to track hospital-acquired infections at a national, state, or local level over time, was used. Bundle components included pre- and postsurgical education and access to follow-up, peri- and intraoperative practice changes, and a risk stratification tool for postoperative dressing selection. The bundle was initiated in April 2022. After use was established for 6 months, the SIR was evaluated in the fourth quarter of 2022. For this one quarter, the expected SIR for the hospital was 2.64, and the calculated SIR measured 0.38. In 2022, which included 3 months prebundle and 9 months postbundle, the expected SIR was 10.57, with a calculated SIR of just 0.66 for the full year. In 2023, the expected SIR was 11.10, with a calculated SIR of 0.27. The SSI rate reflects an observed 75% reduction in SSI between the years 2021 and 2023. Zero SSI have been observed from January to May 2024. For the patients who underwent planned CD, 98% received the full perioperative obstetric bundle. The ongoing analysis and sharing of data, the implementation of standardized processes, and interdisciplinary collaboration were imperative to the success of this hospital's quality improvement project to reduce SSI for patients undergoing CD.

An explainable long short-term memory network for surgical site infection identification

BackgroundCurrently, surgical site infection surveillance relies on labor-intensive manual chart review. Recently suggested solutions involve machine learning to identify surgical site infections directly from the medical record. Deep learning is a form of machine learning that has historically performed better than traditional methods while being harder to interpret. We propose a deep learning model, a long short-term memory network, for the identification of surgical site infection from the medical record with an attention layer for explainability. MethodsWe retrieved structured data and clinical notes from the University of Utah Health System’s electronic health care record for operative events randomly selected for manual chart review from January 2016 to June 2021. Surgical site infection occurring within 30 days of surgery was determined according to the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program definition. We trained the long short-term memory model along with traditional machine learning models for comparison. We calculated several performance metrics from a holdout test set and performed additional analyses to understand the performance of the long short-term memory, including an explainability analysis. ResultsSurgical site infection was present in 4.7% of the total 9,185 operative events. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve and sensitivity of the long short-term memory was higher (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve: 0.954, sensitivity: 0.920) compared to the top traditional model (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve: 0.937, sensitivity: 0.736). The top 5 features of the long short-term memory included 2 procedure codes and 3 laboratory values. ConclusionSurgical site infection surveillance is vital for the reduction of surgical site infection rates. Our explainable long short-term memory achieved a comparable area under the receiver operating characteristic curve and greater sensitivity when compared to traditional machine learning methods. With explainable deep learning, automated surgical site infection surveillance could replace burdensome manual chart review processes.

Surgical Site Infection Prevention Strategies in Cardiac Surgery: A Systematic Review

Background: Cardiac surgery becomes one of surgical procedure that has potential for develop several complications including surgical site infection (SSI). Despite the case is still very common, SSI can be regarded as the most preventable, especially when the treatment approach used, because there are many risk factors associated with the target. This systematic review aims to assess the effectiveness of interventions strategies used to reduce the incident of SSI in cardiac surgery. Methods: The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines provide a standardized framework for conducting and reporting systematic reviews. A comprehensive search was conducted across major electronic databases, The following database were PubMed, Scopus and ProQuest. The inclusion criteria were clinical and a randomized control trial published between 2018 to 2023. The primary outcome measure was SSI rates. Results: The studies encompassed diverse perioperative intervention strategies, such as pre operative nasal ointment, pre operative showering and shaving, chlorhexidine mouthwash, and negative pressure therapy. In total, 436.762 articles regarding SSI prevention strategies in cardiac surgery were found in this study. However, around 7 articles that were met with the criteria of this study. Conclusion: Actions to reduce the incidence of SSI are carried out at all perioperative stages. The action taken was modifying the intervention and also using additional therapy carried out by health workers.

Getting the drop on Staphylococcus aureus: Semiquantitative Staphylococcus aureus nasal colony reduction in orthopedic surgery reduces surgical site infection

Surgical site infection (SSI) is a frequent health care-associated infection. We aimed to reduce SSI risk after joint arthroplasty and spine surgery by reducing Staphylococcus aureus colonization burden with presurgery intranasal povidone-iodine (PVP-I) application in conjunction with skin antisepsis ("the intervention"). Retrospective case-control study; postintervention cohort versus a historical cohort. Adults who underwent joint arthroplasty or spine surgery during February 2018 through October 2021 ("post-intervention cohort") included. In the analysis cases any patient who underwent surgery and developed SSI within 90 days postsurgery, controls had no SSI. Postintervention cohort data were compared with a similar retrospective 2016 to 2017 patient cohort that did not use intranasal PVP-I. The postintervention cohort comprised 688 consecutive patients aged 65y/o, 48.8% male, 28 cases, and 660 controls. Relatively more cases than controls had diabetes mellitus (P=.019). There was a 39.6% eradication rate of S aureus nasal colonization post intranasal PVP-I (P<.0001). SSI rate was higher in patients positive versus those negative for S aureus on a 24-hour postsurgery nasal culture (P<.0001). The deep SSI rate per 100 operations postintervention versus the historical cohort decreased for all surgical procedures. Semiquantitative S aureus nasal colony reduction using intranasal PVP-I is effective for decreasing SSI rate in joint arthroplasty and spine surgery. In patients with presurgery S aureus nasal colonization additional intranasal PVP-I postsurgery application should be considered.

Shared decision making for perioperative antibiotic use during Mohs micrographic surgery on the lower extremities

While there is a higher risk of surgical site infection (SSI) on the lower extremities following Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS), antibiotic prophylaxis (AP) is debated. To determine the role of shared decision making (SDM) in guiding AP usage during MMS on the lower extremities. A prospective observational study was conducted whereby patients received a standardized SDM discussion or routine counseling. Patient satisfaction quantified by the shared decision-making questionnaire (SDMQ9) survey, rate of SSI, and rate of AP prescription were recorded. In total, 51 patients were included. While there were less antibiotics prescribed in the treatment group (20% versus 50%, P=.025), this did not affect incidence of SSI (8% in treatment group versus 7.7% in control group, P=.668). Patient satisfaction was statistically greater in SDM group (4.73 versus 2.18 in control (P<.001). Patient satisfaction scores were higher among the patients who received SDM. While the usage of AP was lower in the SDM group, this did not affect incidence of SSI. This study allows the opportunity to apply SDM in the setting of MMS, which to our knowledge has not yet been attempted in the field of dermatologic surgery.

Quality and sustainability of Ethiopia's national surgical indicators.

In 2015, the Ethiopian Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH) developed the Saving Lives through Safe Surgery (SaLTS) initiative to improve national surgical care. Previous work led to development and implementation of 15 surgical key performance indicators (KPIs) to standardize surgical data practices. The objective of this project is to investigate current practices of KPI data collection and assess quality to improve data management and strengthen surgical systems. The first portion of the study documented the surgical data collection process including methods, instruments, and effectiveness at 10 hospitals across 2 regions in Ethiopia. Secondly, data for KPIs of focus [1. Surgical Volume, 2. Perioperative Mortality Rate (POMR), 3. Adverse Anesthetic Outcome (AAO), 4. Surgical Site Infection (SSI), and 5. Safe Surgery Checklist (SSC) Utilization] were compared between registries, KPI reporting forms, and the DHIS2 (district health information system) electronic database for a 6-month period (January-June 2022). Quality was assessed based on data completeness and consistency. The data collection process involved hospital staff recording data elements in registries, quality officers calculating KPIs, completing monthly KPI reporting forms, and submitting data into DHIS2 for the national and regional health bureaus. Data quality verifications revealed discrepancies in consistency at all hospitals, ranging from 1-3 indicators. For all hospitals, average monthly surgical volume was 57 cases, POMR was 0.38% (13/3399), inpatient SSI rate was 0.79% (27/3399), AAO rate was 0.15% (5/3399), and mean SSC utilization monthly was 93% (100% median). Half of the hospitals had incomplete data within the registries, ranging from 2-5 indicators. AAO, SSC, and SSI were commonly missing data in registries. Non-standardized KPI reporting forms contributed significantly to the findings. Facilitators to quality data collection included continued use of registries from previous interventions and use of a separate logbook to document specific KPIs. Delayed rollout of these indicators in each region contributed to issues in data quality. Barriers involved variable indicator recording from different personnel, data collection tools that generate false positives (i.e. completeness of SSC defined as paper form filled out prior to patient discharge) or missing data because of reporting time period (i.e. monthly SSI may miss infections outside of one month), inadequate data elements in registries, and lack of standardized monthly KPI reporting forms. As the FMOH introduces new indicators and changes, we recommend continuous and consistent quality checks and data capacity building, including the use of routinely generated health information for quality improvement projects at the department level.

The Continued Impact of Godina's Principles: Outcomes of Flap Coverage as a Function of Time After Definitive Fixation of Open Lower Extremity Fractures.

Early soft tissue coverage of open lower extremity fractures within 72 hours of injury leads to improved outcomes. Little is known about outcomes when definitive fixation is completed first. The purpose of this study is to quantify postoperative outcomes when soft tissue reconstruction is delayed until after definitive open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) is completed. An insurance claims database was queried for all patients with open lower extremity fractures between 2010 and 2020 who underwent free or axial flap reconstruction after ORIF. This cohort was stratified into three groups: reconstruction performed 0 to 3, 3 to 7, and 7+ days after ORIF. The primary outcome was 90-day complication and reoperation rates. Bivariate and multivariable regression of all-cause complications and reoperations was evaluated for time to flap as a risk factor. A total of 863 patients with open lower extremity fractures underwent ORIF prior to flap soft tissue reconstruction. In total, 145 (16.8%), 162 (18.8%), and 556 (64.4%) patients underwent soft tissue reconstruction 0 to 3 days, 4 to 7 days, and 7+ days after ORIF, respectively. The 90-day complication rate of surgical site infections ( SSI; 16.6%, 16,7%, 28.8%; p = 0.001) and acute osteomyelitis (5.5%, 6.2%, 27.7%; p < 0.001) increased with delayed soft tissue reconstruction. Irrigation and debridement rates were directly related to time from ORIF to flap (33.8%, 51.9%, 61.9%; p < 0.001). Hardware removal rates were significantly higher with delayed treatment (10.3%, 9.3%, 39.3%; p < 0.001). The 0 to 3 day (odds ratio [OR] = 0.22; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.15, 0.32) and 4 to 7 day (OR = 0.26; 95% CI: 0.17, 0.40) groups showed protective factors against all-cause complications after bivariate and multivariate regression. Early soft tissue reconstruction of open lower extremity fractures performed within 7 days of ORIF reduces complication rates and reduces the variability of complication rates including SSIs, acute osteomyelitis, and hardware failure.

Prophylactic negative pressure wound therapy to improve wound healing rates following ileostomy closure: a randomized controlled trial.

Reversal of ileostomy is associated with morbidity including wound infection and prolonged wound healing. Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) has been shown to reduce time to wound healing by secondary intention. The aim of this study was to determine whether NPWT improved wound healing rates, compared with simple wound dressings, in patients undergoing reversal of ileostomy where the skin wound is closed with a purse-string suture. This was a dual-centre, open-label, randomized controlled trial with two parallel intervention arms. Patients undergoing elective loop ileostomy reversal were randomized 1:1 to receive NPWT or simple wound dressings. The primary endpoint of the study was assessment of complete wound healing at day 42 post reversal of ileostomy and the secondary endpoints were patient-reported wound cosmesis using a visual analogue scale and rates of surgical site infection (SSI). The study was conducted from June 2018 to December 2021. The trial was approved by the local ethics committee. We enrolled 40 patients, 20 in each arm. One patient in each arm was lost to follow up. Nine patients (9/19, 47.36%) in the simple dressing group had wound healing vs. 13 patients (13/19, 68.42%) in the NPWT group (P = 0.188). There was no significant difference in patient- reported wound cosmesis or SSI. There was no difference in wound healing rates when comparing NPWT to simple wound dressings at early and late time points post reversal of ileostomy, where the skin wound was closed with a purse-string suture.

To close or not to close? Wound management in emergent colorectal surgery, an EAST multicenter prospective cohort study.

This study aimed to determine the clinical impact of wound management technique on surgical site infection (SSI), hospital length of stay (LOS), and mortality in emergent colorectal surgery. A prospective observational study (2021-2023) of urgent or emergent colorectal surgery patients at 15 institutions was conducted. Pediatric patients and traumatic colorectal injuries were excluded. Patients were classified by wound closure technique: skin closed (SC), skin loosely closed (SLC), or skin open (SO). Primary outcomes were SSI, hospital LOS, and in-hospital mortality rates. Multivariable regression was used to assess the effect of wound closure on outcomes after controlling for demographics, patient characteristics, intensive care unit admission, vasopressor use, procedure details, and wound class. A priori power analysis indicated that 138 patients per group were required to detect a 10% difference in mortality rates. In total, 557 patients were included (SC, n = 262; SLC, n = 124; SO, n = 171). Statistically significant differences in body mass index, race/ethnicity, American Society of Anesthesiologist scores, EBL, intensive care unit admission, vasopressor therapy, procedure details, and wound class were observed across groups. Overall, average LOS was 16.9 ± 16.4 days, and rates of in-hospital mortality and SSI were 7.9% and 18.5%, respectively, with the lowest rates observed in the SC group. After risk adjustment, SO was associated with increased risk of mortality (OR, 3.003; p = 0.028) in comparison with the SC group. Skin loosely closed was associated with increased risk of superficial SSI (OR, 3.439; p = 0.014), after risk adjustment. When compared with the SC group, the SO group was associated with mortality but comparable when considering all other outcomes, while the SLC was associated with increased superficial SSI. Complete skin closure may be a viable wound management technique in emergent colorectal surgery. Therapeutic/Care Management; Level III.

The efficacy of nursing interventions in preventing surgical site infections in patients undergoing surgery for congenital heart disease.

Surgical site infections (SSIs) pose significant risks to patients undergoing surgery for congenital heart disease (CHD), impacting recovery and increasing healthcare burdens. This study assesses the efficacy of targeted nursing interventions in reducing SSIs and enhancing wound healing in this vulnerable patient group. A prospective cohort study was conducted from January 2022 to August 2023 at a single institution, involving 120 paediatric patients divided into control (standard postoperative care) and observation (specialized nursing interventions) groups. Nursing interventions included preoperative disinfection, strategic use of antibiotics, rigorous aseptic techniques and comprehensive postoperative care. Inclusion criteria encompassed a broad spectrum of CHD patients, while exclusion criteria aimed to minimize confounders. The Institutional Ethics Committee approved the study protocols. Baseline characteristics were comparable across groups, ensuring homogeneity. The observation group exhibited significantly lower SSI rates (1.7%) compared to the control group (11.6%), with a notable increase in optimal wound healing (Grade A) outcomes (73.3% vs. 30%). The differences in healing efficacy and infection rates between the two groups were statistically significant, emphasizing the effectiveness of the targeted nursing interventions in enhancing postoperative recovery for paediatric patients undergoing CHD surgery. The study demonstrates that targeted nursing interventions can significantly reduce SSI rates and improve wound healing in paediatric CHD surgery patients. These results underscore the importance of specialized nursing care in postoperative management. Future research, including larger-scale clinical trials, is necessary to validate these findings and develop comprehensive nursing care guidelines for this population.