Wound Infection Rate Research Articles

Comparison of Postoperative Wound Infection in Controlled Diabetic and Non-Diabetic Patients in Elective Operations

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a systemic disease that alters the metabolism of blood sugar. Poorly controlled diabetes or hyperglycaemia is associated with an array of micro-vascular, macro-vascular, and neuropathic complications. There is a widely held belief that infections are usually more frequent and severe in diabetic patients. Diabetes prevalence is increasing in the developed & developing countries, and the appropriate management of patients with diabetes has become increasingly important for the prevention of hospital-acquired infections. Postoperative wound infection continues to be a major source of morbidity and mortality in developing countries despite recent advances in aseptic techniques. There is little information regarding postoperative wound infection in controlled diabetic patients undergoing elective operation. Objectives: The aim of our study was to evaluate the postoperative wound infection in controlled diabetic and non-diabetic patients in elective operations. Materials & method: This cross sectional comparative study was conducted in Department of Surgery, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka, during the period of October 2011 to March 2012. A total seventy three patients with controlled diabetics and seventy three non-diabetics were selected. Inclusion criteria were patients undergoing clean and cleancontaminated elective operations. Un-controlled diabetes, patient undergoing contaminated and dirty operation, patient with tuberculosis, jaundice, uraemia, having cortico-steroids /chemoradiation and operated for malignancies were excluded. After preoperative preparation specific operation was done. All patients were followed up for 30 days of post operative period for development of any postoperative wound infection. All information recorded in data collection sheet. Data was processed and analysed with the help of computer program SPSS-16 and Microsoft excel. Quantitative data expressed as mean and standard deviation and qualitative data as frequency and percentage. Result: The patients of diabetic group [31 male, 42 female; mean age, 44.5 (SD 8.2) years] and non-diabetic group [40 male, 33 female; mean age, 43.1 (SD 9.4) years] were similar in age and sex (p>0.05 each). The rate of postoperative wound infection after elective abdominal surgery was 7.5% [in controlled diabetic group was 12.3% and that of non-diabetic group was 2.7% (p<0.05)] and the patients of diabetic group were 5.0 times more likely to develop wound infection as compared to that of non-diabetic group (OR=4.992; 95% of CI=1.040–23.971) in clean and clean contaminated elective abdominal surgery. The length of postoperative hospital stay was significantly more in diabetic group than that of non-diabetic group (8.2 (SD ± 2.9) vs 6.8 (SD ± 3.2) days; p<0.01). Conclusion: Postoperative wound infection was higher in controlled diabetic patients than that of non-diabetic. These results support the consideration of diabetes as an independent risk factor for SSIs after elective surgery. Continued efforts are needed to improve surgical outcomes for diabetic patients. J Dhaka Med Coll. 2022; 31(2) : 226-231

Nanocellulose significantly reduces number of anesthetics, hospital days, and in-patient dressing changes compared to PU-Foam Dressing: A prospective cohort study in children

BackgroundPediatric thermal injuries can have profound physical and psychological effects. Long-term care, including wound dressing selection, significantly impacts outcomes. This study compared treatment related variables and long-term results of bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) and polyurethane foam (PU-foam) dressings in pediatric burn care. MethodsA prospective cohort study comparing BNC (2018–2020) and PU-foam (2016–2018) in pediatric burn patients. Data included demographics, wound characteristics, infection rates, treatment duration, anesthesia procedures, dressing changes, scar assessments (POSAS, VSS), colorimeter measurements, and quality of life (CDLQI). Regression analyses were performed to correct for differences in burn depth. ResultsAfter correction for burn depth, BNC showed a shorter hospital stay duration (p = 0.007), a lower number of procedures under general anesthesia (p<0.0001) and a reduced number of inpatient dressing changes (p = 0.006), compared to PU-foam, whereas wound infection rates did not differ between the treatment groups (p = 0.169). Scar outcomes (POSAS, VSS, colorimeter measurements) and quality of life (CDLQI) were comparable for both treatments. DiscussionBNC dressing benefits include significantly fewer anesthesia procedures, a reduced number of inpatient dressing changes and a shorter hospital stays, supporting the use of BNC dressing. Long-term scar outcomes with BNC are comparable to established dressings like PU-foam. Further randomized trials are necessary to confirm these findings.

Evaluating the Outcomes of Laparoscopic versus Open Cholecystectomy in a Community Hospital Setting

Background: Gallstone obstruction is the most common reason for presenting acute cholecystitis (AC), where inflammation may have dire consequences. Given that the laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) process is minimally invasive and more beneficial than other surgical operations such as open cholecystectomy (OC). Methods: This was a prospective observational study comparing LC and OC in a one-year follow-up from a community hospital in Larkana. Descriptive statistics and inferential tests apply to collect and analyze data on patient demographics, surgical details, postoperative problems, and recovery factors. Results: Out of the 70 patients, 50 had LC, and 20 had OC. Significantly shorter hospital stays (2.3±1.1 days) and surgical times (75.2±20.4 minutes vs. 105.6±25.3 minutes, p&lt;0.001) were linked to LC. The LC group experienced shorter recovery times (10.4± 3.7 days vs. 18.6±5.2 days, p&lt;0.001) and lower postoperative pain levels (3.2±1.1 vs. 5.6±1.7, p&lt;0.001). Although the OC group had proportionally greater rates of gastrointestinal problems, wound infections, and bleeding, the differences were not statistically significant. Conclusion: A shorter operative time, less hospitalization, less postoperative pain score, and faster recovery were observed with LC compared to OC. Further studies are needed to confirm these results; thus, LC is recommended as the surgical strategy of choice for AC. Keywords: Gallstones, Pain, Operation, Recovery.

Comparison of short-term outcomes of robotic versus open Pancreaticoduodenectomy: A Meta-Analysis of randomized controlled trials and Propensity-Score-Matched studies.

Robotic pancreaticoduodenectomy (RPD) is used more commonly, but this surge is mostly based on observational data. This meta-analysis aimed to compare the short-term outcomes between RPD and open pancreaticoduodenectomy (OPD) using data collected from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and propensity score-matched (PSM) studies. We searched PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, and Web of Science databases for RCTs and PSM studies comparing RPD and OPD. Risk ratios (RRs) and mean differences (MDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. Twenty-four studies, encompassing two RCTs and 22 PSM studies, were included, with a total of 9393 patients (RPD group: 3919 patients; OPD group: 5474 patients). Although RPD was associated with a longer operative time (MD, 61.61min), patients may benefit from reduced blood loss (MD, -154.05mL), shorter length of stay (MD, -1.60d), lower blood transfusion rate (RR, 0.85), and wound infection rate (RR, 0.61). There were no significant differences observed in 30-day readmission (RR, 0.99), 90-day mortality (RR, 0.97), overall morbidity (RR, 0.88), major complications (RR, 1.01), reoperation (RR, 1.08), bile leak (RR, 1.01), chylous leak (RR, 0.98), postoperative pancreatic fistula (RR, 0.97), postpancreatectomy hemorrhage (RR, 1.15), delayed gastric emptying (RR, 0.88), number of harvested lymph nodes (MD, -0.12), and R0 resection (RR, 1.01) between the groups. Although some short-term outcomes were similar between RPD and OPD, RPD exhibited reduced intraoperative blood loss, shorter hospital stays, lower wound infection, and blood transfusion rates. In the future, RPD may become a safe and effective alternative to OPD.

A descriptive analysis of skin-only closure and Bogota bag techniques for achieving complete fascial closure in damage control abdominal surgery

BackgroundTemporary abdominal closure (TAC) techniques are essential in managing open abdomen cases, particularly in damage control surgery. Skin-only closure (SC) and Bogota bag closure (BBC) are commonly used methods for TAC, but their comparative effectiveness in achieving primary fascial closure (PFC) remains unclear. The objective of this study was to evaluate the rates of PFC between patients undergoing SC and BBC techniques for TAC in peritonitis or abdominal trauma cases at a tertiary care hospital.MethodsA retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted at the Surgical A Unit of Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar, from January 2022 to July 2023. Approval was obtained from the institutional review board, and patient consent was secured for data use. Patients undergoing temporary abdominal closure using either skin-only or Bogota bag techniques were included. Exclusions comprised patients younger than 15 or older than 75 years, those with multiple abdominal wall incisions, and those with prior abdominal surgeries. Data analysis utilized SPSS version 25. The study aimed to assess outcomes following damage control surgery, focusing on primary fascial closure rates and associated factors. Closure techniques (skin-only and Bogota bag) were chosen based on institutional protocols and clinical context. Indications for damage control surgery (DCS) included traumatic and non-traumatic emergencies. Intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) was measured using standardized methods. Patients were divided into SC and BBC groups for comparison. Criteria for reoperation and primary fascial closure were established, with timing and technique determined based on clinical assessment and multidisciplinary team collaboration. The decision to leave patients open during the index operation followed damage control surgery principles.ResultsA total of 193 patients were included in this study, with 59.0% undergoing skin-only closure (SC) and 41.0% receiving Bogota bag closure (BBC). Patients exhibited similar demographic characteristics across cohorts, with a majority being male (73.1%) and experiencing acute abdomen of non-traumatic origin (58.0%). Among the reasons for leaving the abdomen open, severe intra-abdominal sepsis affected 51.3% of patients, while 42.0% experienced hemodynamic instability. Patients who received SC had significantly higher rates of primary fascial closure (PFC) compared to BBC (85.1% vs. 65.8%, p = 0.04), with lower rates of fascial dehiscence (1.7% vs. 7.6%, p = 0.052) and wound infections (p = 0.010). Multivariate regression analysis showed SC was associated with a higher likelihood of achieving PFC compared to BBC (adjusted OR = 1.7, 95% CI: 1.3–3.8, p < 0.05).ConclusionIn patients with peritonitis or abdominal trauma, SC demonstrated higher rates of PFC compared to BBC for TAC in our study population. However, further studies are warranted to validate these results and explore the long-term outcomes associated with different TAC techniques.

Comparing the Outcomes of Scalpel and Diathermocoagulation Dissection in Abdominoplasty: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Abdominoplasty, an emerging surgical procedure worldwide, associated with complications, as seroma, infection, and hematoma. This systematic review and meta-analysis compare the outcomes of abdominoplasty procedures performed using a scalpel versus a diathermocoagulation device (diathermy monopolar electrocautery), aiming to find a safer approach with fewer complications. We conducted a systematic search in November 2023 using PubMed, Ovid Medline, and Ovid Chocrane databases. The methodological index for nonrandomized studies and the Revised Cochrane Risk of Bias assessment tools were used to assess risk of bias for observational studies and randomized controlled trials, respectively. The data were analyzed using RevMan software. Six articles (1135 patients) were included, 521 patients were operated using a scalpel and 614 using electrocautery. Our analysis suggests that both seroma and drain output were seen more among the electrocautery group, with an odds ratio (OR) of 0.62 (95% CI [0.39, 0.97], p = 0.04) and - 103.63 (95% CI [- 205.67, - 1.59], p = 0.05), respectively. It is important to note the high heterogeneity seen among the studies discussing the total drain output. Additionally, we did not find any statistical significance between both techniques in terms of the rate of hematoma, wound infection, operation time, and hospital stay length. When comparing the use of scalpel and electrocautery dissection in abdominoplasty, higher rates of seroma and total drain output are significantly associated with electrocautery dissection. This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Comparing Wound Healing and Infection Risk Between Early and Late Dressing Removal After Abdominal Hysterectomy.

This study evaluates the effects of dressing timing after abdominal hysterectomy on wound healing and infection risk. It highlights the potential for early dressing removal to accelerate healing and underscores the need for clear guidelines in wound care that align with the ERAS(Enhanced Recovery After Surgery) protocol. Using a prospective, randomized, double-blind design, this research was carried out at Başakşehir Çam and Sakura City Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey. The objective was to investigate the impact of early dressing removal on wound healing and infection rates after elective abdominal hysterectomy. Demographic parameters such as age, height, weight, and body mass index (BMI) were found to have no significant impact on wound healing. Patients whose dressings were removed early had shorter hospital stays. No significant differences were observed between the two groups in terms of wound complications and hospital readmission rates. Early dressing removal after abdominal hysterectomy was observed to positively affect wound healing and facilitate earlier hospital discharge. However, no significant differences were found in hospital readmission rates between the two groups. These findings suggest that the dressing timing can be more flexible within the ERAS protocol and does not have a decisive impact on postoperative complications.

Predominant Use of Bilateral Internal Mammary Arteries in Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery

Bilateral internal mammary artery (BIMA) in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) has been shown to provide long-term clinical benefits over single internal mammary artery (SIMA) grafting. Nevertheless, the perceived technical complexity of the procedure and concerns about potential early postoperative complications, particularly sternal wound infections have led to a utilization rate of BIMA grafting of less than 5% in the United States. We systematically compared early (30-day) post-operative outcomes between the BIMA and SIMA cohorts in patients with similar baseline characteristics. A retrospective single center study was conducted on matched patients, using stabilized inverse probability treatment weighting to mitigate bias between the two study cohorts. From 546 off-pump CABG patients initially identified, we examined 328 BIMA and 213 SIMA grafts from the matched samples. Despite utilizing 60.4% BIMA grafts, we observed similar rates of 30-day overall and cardiac mortality between the BIMA and SIMA groups. Rates of 30-day postoperative complications, including superficial and deep sternal wound infections, stroke, sepsis, acute kidney injury, and cardiac arrest, were similar between the two groups. Rates of 30-day overall and cardiac readmission were also similar. Additionally, median length of hospital stays, intensive care unit stay, and ventilation times were similar between the two groups. In conclusion, our data suggest that a BIMA utilization rate of 60.4% in off-pump CABG procedure is achievable without causing any significant increment in early post-operative complications, including deep sternal wound infection.

Effects of subcutaneous drain on wound dehiscence and infection in gynecological midline laparotomy: Secondary analysis of a Korean Gynecologic Oncology Group study (KGOG 4001)

ObjectiveTo identify the effects of subcutaneous drain insertion on wound dehiscence and infection in patients who underwent gynecological midline laparotomy. MethodsThis analysis identified the secondary endpoints of the KGOG 4001 study, a prospective, multicenter, non-blind, randomized controlled trial. Patients scheduled to undergo midline laparotomy for gynecological diseases and, with body mass index<35 kg/m2, were randomized (1:1) to treatment (with subcutaneous drain) and control (without subcutaneous drain) groups from February 2021 to December 2021. We compared the incidence rate of wound dehiscence 4 weeks post-surgery and the cumulative incidence rate of wound dehiscence and infection up to 4 weeks post-surgery between the two groups. ResultsOf 174 patients randomized to the treatment (n = 84) and control (n = 90) groups, 12 were excluded owing to loss to follow-up; finally, 162 patients (treatment, n = 79; control, n = 83) were included in intention-to-treat analysis. The frequency of cancer surgery (79.7 % vs. 77.1 %, p = 0.683), mean surgery time (227.7 vs. 226.7 min, p = 0.960), and mean wound length (24.2 vs. 24.3 cm, p = 0.933) were comparable between two groups. No significant differences were observed in the incidence rate of wound dehiscence 4 weeks post-surgery (1.3 % vs. 2.4 %, p > 0.999), cumulative incidence rate of wound dehiscence (8.9 % vs. 6.0 %, p = 0.491), and cumulative incidence rate of wound infection (1.3 % vs. 0.0 %, p = 0.488) up to 4 weeks post-surgery between the two groups. ConclusionSubcutaneous drain insertion is not associated with a significant improvement in the incidence of wound dehiscence and infection in patients who undergo gynecological midline laparotomy. Clinical trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04643197.

Endoscopic Versus Open Treatment of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Postoperative Complications in Patients With Diabetes Mellitus

Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) often face higher postoperative complication rates. Limited data exist regarding outcomes in T2DM patients undergoing carpal tunnel release (CTR). This study compares complication rates between endoscopic CTR (ECTR) and open CTR (OCTR) in patients with T2DM. The TriNetX database was used to perform a retrospective cohort study of 67,225 patients with T2DM who underwent ECTR (n= 17,792) or OCTR (n= 49,433). Demographic data, medical comorbidities, and complication rates were analyzed. A 1:1 propensity score match was performed to calculate risk ratios and 95% confidence intervals of postoperative median nerve injury, 6-week wound dehiscence, and 6-week wound infection. After matching, a significantly greater number of ECTR patients had liver disease (P= <.001) and a body mass index > 40 (P= .001) compared to the OCTR group. These patients also had a lower incidence of fluid and electrolyte disorders (P= .003). Patients with T2DM who underwent ECTR had a significantly lower relative risk of 6-week wound infection, 6-week wound dehiscence, and median nerve injury (all P < .001) compared to patients who underwent OCTR. In our analysis of T2DM patients undergoing CTR, ECTR yielded significantly lower rates of wound infection, wound dehiscence, and nerve injury within 6-weeks post-surgery, reducing the risk by 43%, 52%, and 58%, respectively. These findings suggest that ECTR may result in a lower complication rate in this patient population. III.

The efficacy and safety of intra-articular injection of corticosteroids in multimodal analgesic cocktails in total knee arthroplasty-a historically controlled study.

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a common and effective procedure. Optimizing pain control and reducing postoperative discomfort are essential for patient satisfaction. No studies have examined the safety and efficacy of intra-articular corticosteroid injections following TKA. This study aims to examine the safety and efficacy of corticosteroids in intra-articular multimodal analgesic injections. This was a historically controlled study conducted at a single academic institution. Before May 2019, patients received an intra-articular cocktail injection without corticosteroids during surgery, referred to as the non-corticosteroid (NC) group. After June 2019, intraoperatively, patients received an intra-articular cocktail injection containing corticosteroids, referred to as the corticosteroid (C) group. Finally, 738 patients were evaluated, 370 in the C cohort and 368 in the NC cohort. The mean follow-up duration was 30.4 months for the C group and 48.4 months for the NC group. The mean VAS scores at rest on postoperative day (POD) 1 (2.35) and POD3 (3.88) were significantly lower in the C group than those in the NC group, which were 2.86 (POD1) and 5.26 (POD3) (p < 0.05). Walking pain in the C group (4.42) was also significantly lower than that (5.96) in the NC group on POD3 (p < 0.05). Patients in the C group had a significantly higher mean range of motion (ROM) (92.55) on POD3 than that (86.38) in the NC group. The mean time to straight leg raise for group C (2.77) was significantly shorter than that (3.61) for the NC group (p < 0.05). The C group also had significantly fewer rescue morphine (1.9) and metoclopramide (0.21) uses per patient than the NC group, which were 3.1 and 0.24, respectively. No significant differences in fever or vomiting rates between groups were found. Patients in neither group developed periprosthetic joint infections or skin necrosis. One patient in the C group suffered from wound dehiscence, and the wound healed well after debridement. No patient died or had a re-operation in either group. This pilot trial found that intra-articular injection of multimodal analgesia (including corticosteroids) reduced initial postoperative pain, increased ROM in the early postoperative days (up to POD3), and did not increase wound complications or infection rates in approximately 30 months of follow-up.

Comparison of laparoscopic and open surgery for colorectal malignancy in obese patients: a propensity score-weighted cohort study.

Insufficient evidence exists to ascertain the long-term prognosis in patients with obesity undergoing laparoscopic surgery versus open surgery for colorectal cancer. Employing an institutional database from 2009 to 2019, we assessed individuals with a BMI of greater than or equal to 30kg/m 2 who underwent surgery for primary stage I-III colorectal adenocarcinoma. The authors used propensity score-weighted analysis to compare short-term and oncologic outcomes between laparoscopic and open surgical approaches. This study enrolled 473 patients (open vs. laparoscopic surgery: 220 vs. 253; median follow-up period, 60months). The laparoscopy group showed a significantly longer operative time (252 vs. 212 min), a higher anastomotic-leakage rate (5.14% vs. 0.91%), and a greater proportion of Clavien-Dindo class greater than III complications (5.93% vs. 1.82%). The open group showed a higher wound infection rate (7.27% vs. 3.16%) and a higher readmission rate (6.36% vs. 2.37%). After propensity score weighting, laparoscopy was inferior to open surgery in terms of long-term overall survival (hazard ratio: 1.43), disease-free survival (1.39), and recurrence rate (21.1% vs. 14.5%). In the subgroup analysis, female patients, older individuals, stage III patients, patients with rectal cancer, and those who underwent surgery after 2014 showed inferior long-term outcomes after laparoscopy. Laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery for patients with obesity requires significant caution. Despite good short-term outcomes, this procedure is associated with hidden risks and poor long-term prognoses. In female patients, older individuals, stage III patients, patients with rectal cancer, and those treated in the late surgery era subgroups, caution is advised when performing laparoscopic surgery.

Does earlier bathing increase the risk of surgical site infection? A meta-analysis of 11 randomized controlled trials.

For many decades, patients recovering from wound closure have been instructed not to bathe. Although studies have shown that earlier postoperative bathing does not increase the risk of wound infection, it remains rare in practice for patients to be allowed earlier postoperative bathing. We performed this meta-analysis to determine how earlier bathing affected rates of wound infection, other complications, and patient satisfaction. This systematic review conforms to PRISMA guidelines. The PubMed, EMBASE, Medline, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched from their inception dates to December 31, 2022. We estimated pooled values for the efficacy of trial of earlier bathing versus delayed bathing using the odds ratio and their associated 95% CI, and we used the I 2 statistic to assess heterogeneity between studies contributing to these estimates. Of the 1813 articles identified by our search, 11 randomized controlled trials including 2964 patients were eligible for inclusion. The incidence of wound infection did not differ significantly between the earlier bathing and delayed bathing groups, nor did rates of other wound complications such as redness and swelling, or wound dehiscence. However, the incidence of hematoma in the delayed bathing group was higher than in the earlier bathing group. Reported patient satisfaction was significantly higher in the earlier bathing group. The medical community, health authorities, and government should create and disseminate clinical practice guidelines to guide patients to evidence-based beneficial treatment.

Predictive factors for conversion to laparotomy in women undergoing laparoscopic hysterectomy. A re-evaluation of clinicopathological factors in the era of minimally invasive gynaecology.

Abdominal hysterectomy has been largely replaced by minimally invasive surgery. Nevertheless, in some situations, a minimally invasive intervention must be converted to laparotomy. Factors associated with conversion to laparotomy are still a matter of debate. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinicopathological factors associated with the conversion of laparoscopic hysterectomy to laparotomy. The risk factors for conversion of a preplanned laparoscopic procedure to laparotomy were retrospectively evaluated in 441 patients undergoing a hysterectomy for a benign indication between 2016 and 2020. Associations between the clinical factors were analysed using Pearson's chi-square and Fisher's exact test, and predictive values for conversion were assessed through multivariate logistic regression. Conversion occurred in 32 (7.3%) of the cases. Significant differences were detected for uterus weight (576.9gr vs 174.6gr, p<0.001), myoma size (7.0 cm vs. 1.8 cm, p<0.001), and presence of triple diagnosis consisting of leiomyoma, adenomyosis uteri, and pathological adnexal findings (p<0.013). The conversion resulted in prolonged surgery time (181.6 min vs. 119.6 min, p<0.001) and hospital stay (4.0 vs. 3.1 days, p<0.001), as well as an increased rate of wound infection (15.6% vs. 3.4%, p<0.001). A 10g increase in uterus weight raised the risk of conversion by 7.0%, and a 1cm increase in myoma diameter by 7.3%, while adnexal pathologies and extensive adhesions increased the odds of conversion to laparotomy threefold (ORs of 3.2, 1.09-9.6 and 3.6, 1.3-10.0, respectively). Uterus weight, myoma size, the coexistence of pathological adnexal findings, and non-physiological adhesions are independent risk factors for conversion. This study provides data regarding the risk and factors increasing this risk for conversion to laparotomy during laparoscopic hysterectomy.

Risk factors for infection at the saphenous vein harvest site after coronary artery bypass grafting surgery: a retrospective cohort study

IntroductionSurgical site infection after saphenous vein harvest is common, with reported leg wound infection rates ranging from 2 to 24%. There have been few investigations into sex-related differences in complication rates. Moreover, varied effects of smoking have been reported. The aim of this study was to investigate risk factors such as gender and smoking, associated with surgical site infection after vein graft harvesting in coronary artery bypass grafting surgery.MethodsWe included 2,188 consecutive patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting surgery with at least one vein graft at our centre from 2009 to 2018. All patients were followed up postoperatively. Risk factors for leg wound infection requiring antibiotic treatment and surgical revision were analysed using logistic regression analysis.ResultsIn total, 374 patients (17.1%) received antibiotic treatment and 154 (7.0%) underwent surgical revision for leg wound infection at the harvest site. Female sex, high body mass index, diabetes mellitus, longer operation time, peripheral vascular disease and direct oral anticoagulants were independently associated with any leg wound infection at the harvest site. Among surgically revised patients, female sex and insulin or oral treatment for diabetes mellitus as well as longer operation time were independent risk factors. Smoking was not associated with leg wound infection.ConclusionFemale sex is associated with increased risk of leg wound infection. The underlying mechanism is unknown. In the current population, previous or current smoking was not associated with an increased risk of leg wound infection.

THE IMPACT OF A CLOSING PROTOCOL (CP) IMPLEMENTATION ON WOUND MORBIDITY IN ABDOMINAL WALL RECONSTRUCTION (AWR) WITH MESH

Abstract Background Wound complications (WC) are associated with increased cost, recurrence, and mesh infection. Operative CPs have not been evaluated in AWR. Our aim was to evaluate the effect of a CP on wound infection (WI) and WC. Method A prospective, institutional database was used to compare AWR with and without CP. Descriptive statistics and a Bayesian Structured time series analysis (BSTA) were performed to evaluate rates of WI and WC. Data is reported as means unless stated. The CP involves antibiotic wound irrigation, glove and instrument exchange, re-draping the field, surgeon-only handling the mesh prior to mesh implantation. The introduction of on-going quality improvement efforts were accounted for in the model. Results A total of 2541 patients were examined with an age of 57.9 ± 12.6 years, 56.7% female, BMI 32.9 ± 9.8 kg/m2, 24.2% diabetic, and 41.2% former-smokers. Defect size was 203.1 ± 205.8 cm2 and 83.1% were CDC Class 1 or 2 wounds. Follow-up was 31.5 ± 41.4 months. Overall WI and WC rate decreased after CP (14.5% vs. 2.6% and 29.3% vs. 10.3%, P &amp;lt; 0.001). Specifically, the rate of wound cellulitis (9.7% vs. 2.7%, P &amp;lt; 0.001), wound infection (13.8 vs. 1.8%, P &amp;lt; 0.001), and mesh infection (2.1% vs. 0.6%, P &amp;lt; 0.004) were reduced after CP. For WI, BSTA revealed a relative effect of 83% (±2%, 95%CI:-87%,-78%; P = 0.0002) reduction compared to counterfactual. For WC, the BSTA revealed a relative effect reduction compared to counterfactual of 67% (±3%, 95%CI:-60%, -72%; P = 0.0002). Conclusion Introduction of a CP prior to mesh implantation in open AWR led to a significant reduction in overall wound infections and wound complications. The use of a CP should be strongly considered.

Optimizing stoma closure: A laparoscopic technique yielding the least contamination.

In this study, we introduce a novel method for stoma closure, aiming to reduce wound infection rates. This method involves creating the common channel of both limbs of a loop stoma extracorporeally, which is particularly beneficial during laparoscopic stoma closure surgery by potentially avoiding contamination of the wound. We applied this technique in 23 patients undergoing laparoscopic stoma reversal surgery, comprising both loop colostomy and ileostomy cases. Notably, postoperative outcomes were promising: only two patients experienced postoperative ileus, and importantly, there were no instances of wound infection. These findings suggest that our laparoscopic stoma reversal surgery approach is not only safe and feasible but also offers a significant advantage in reducing wound infection rates.

Increased risk of incisional hernia after stoma closure in patients with colorectal cancer.

Stoma construction and closure are common surgical strategies in patients with colorectal cancer. The present study evaluated the influence of multiple incisional sites resulting from stoma closure on incisional hernia after colorectal cancer surgery. The study included 1681 patients who underwent colorectal cancer surgery. Multiple incisional sites were defined as the coexistence of incisions at the midline and stoma closure sites. We retrospectively investigated the relationship between the presence of multiple incisional sites and incisional hernia development in patients with colorectal cancer. Among the 1681 patients, 420 (25%) underwent stoma construction, with a stoma closure-to-construction ratio of 33% (139/420), and 155 (9.2%) developed incisional hernias after colorectal cancer surgery. In the multivariate analysis, female sex (p < 0.001), body mass index (p < 0.001), multiple incisional sites (p = 0.001), wound infection (p = 0.003), and postoperative chemotherapy (p = 0.030) were independent predictors of incisional hernia. In the multiple incisional sites group, the age (p < 0.001), surgical approach (laparoscopic) (p = 0.013), wound infection rate (p = 0.046), small bowel obstruction rate (p < 0.001), and anastomotic leakage rate (p = 0.008) were higher in those in the single incisional site group. Multiple incisional sites resulting from stoma closure are associated with the development of incisional hernia following colorectal cancer surgery.

Factors Associated With Symptom Recurrence After Surgical Treatment of Interdigital Neuroma: A Retrospective Chart Review of 127 Patients.

Interdigital neuroma (IN) is a benign enlargement of tissue surrounding the common plantar digital nerve. Although the standard surgical treatment of IN remains debated, recent attention has been given to less-invasive surgical decompression by intermetatarsal ligament (IML) release with neurolysis. This study aimed to compare the outcomes of IML release with neurolysis with standard interdigital neurectomy. A retrospective chart review was conducted on 350 consecutive patients who underwent surgical treatment of IN. Patients who satisfied our inclusion and exclusion criteria were categorized into two groups based on the surgical treatment received: IML release with neurolysis or interdigital neurectomy. Outcomes assessed included recurrence of symptoms, rate of revision surgery, and postoperative wound infection. Of the total sample, 40 patients (31.5%) reported recurrence of symptoms within a 12-month follow-up period. Patients who underwent IML release with neurolysis had a markedly higher recurrence rate (47.50%) than those who underwent interdigital neurectomy (24.14%). The rate of postoperative wound infection was similar between the two groups. Binary logistic regression revealed that only the surgical technique was associated with the recurrence of symptoms. Despite the higher rate of symptom recurrence in the IML release with neurolysis patient group, the rate of revision surgery in those with symptom recurrence was similar between both groups. IML release with neurolysis seems to have a higher risk of symptom recurrence than interdigital neurectomy. No patient-specific factors were identified as being associated with symptom recurrence. However, patients who did experience symptom recurrence in either surgical group had similar rates of revision surgery, which may be due to mild recurrent symptom severity in the IML release group that does not warrant revision surgery in these patients. Future studies should consider objective symptom recurrence severity and patient satisfaction. Level III.

Postoperative complications after surgery for lumbar spinal stenosis, assessment using two different data sources

PurposeLumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) is a prevalent disorder, and surgery for LSS is a common procedure. Postoperative complications occur after any surgery and impose costs for society and costs and additional morbidity for patients. Since complications are relatively rare, medical registries of large populations may provide valuable knowledge. However, recording of complications in registries can be incomplete.To better estimate the true prevalence of complications after LSS surgery, we reviewed two different sources of data and recorded complications for a sample of Norwegian LSS patients.Methods474 patients treated surgically for LSS during 2015 and 2016 at four hospitals reported to a national spine registry (NORspine).Postoperative complications were recorded by patients in NORspine, and we cross-referenced complications documented in NORspine with the patients´ electronic patient records (EPR) to re-test the complication rates. We performed descriptive statistics of complication rates using the two different data sources above, and analyzed the association between postoperative complications and clinical outcome with logistic regression.ResultsThe mean (95%CI) patient age was 66.3 (65.3–67.2) years, and 254 (53.6%) were females. All patients were treated with decompression, and 51 (10.7%) received an additional fusion during the index surgery. Combining the two data sources, we found a total rate for postoperative complications of 22.4%, the NORspine registry reported a complication rate of 15.6%, and the EPR review resulted in a complication rate of 16.0%. However, the types of complications were inconsistent across the two data sources. According to NORspine, the frequency of reoperation within 90 days was 0.9% and according to EPR 3.4%. The rates of wound infection were for NORspine 3.1% and EPR review 2.1%.There was no association between postoperative complication and patient reported outcome.ConclusionPostoperative complications occurred in 22% of LSS patients. The frequency of different postoperative complications differed between the two data sources.