Superficial Surgical Site Infection Rates Research Articles

Randomized Comparison of Subcuticular Sutures Versus Staples for Skin Closure After Open Abdominal Surgery: a Multicenter Open-Label Randomized Controlled Trial

BackgroundThe incisional surgical site infection (SSI) is an extremely common complication following open abdominal surgery and imposes a considerable treatment and cost burden. MethodWe conducted a multicenter open-label randomized controlled trial at three Tokyo Metropolitan medical institutions. We enrolled adult patients who underwent either an elective or an emergency open laparotomy. Eligible patients were allocated preoperatively to undergo wound closure with either subcuticular sutures or staples. A central Web-based randomization tool was used to assign participants randomly by a permuted block sequence with a 1:1 allocation ratio and a block size of 4 before mass closure to each group. The primary endpoint was the occurrence of a superficial SSI within 30 days after surgery in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria. This trial was registered with UMIN-CTR as UMIN 000004836 (http://www.umin.ac.jp/ctr). ResultsBetween September 1, 2010 and August 31, 2015, 401 patients were enrolled and randomly assigned to either group. One hundred and ninety-nine patients were allocated to the subcuticular suture and 202 patients to the staple groups (hereafter the “suture” and “staple” group, respectively). Three hundred and ninety-nine were eligible for the primary endpoint. Superficial SSIs occurred in 25 of 198 suture patients and in 27 of 201 staple patients. Overall, the rate of superficial SSIs did not differ significantly between the suture and staple groups. ConclusionSubcuticular sutures did not increase the occurrence of superficial SSIs following open laparotomies mainly consisting of clean-contaminated surgical procedures. The applicability of the wound closure material and method is likely to depend on individual circumstances of the patient and surgical procedure.

Impact of a surgical site infection reduction strategy after colorectal resection.

This study was performed to determine the impact of a surgical site infection (SSI) reduction strategy on SSI rates following colorectal resection. American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) data from 2006-14 were utilized and supplemented by institutional review board-approved chart review. The primary end-point was superficial and deep incisional SSI. The inclusion criterion was colorectal resection. The SSI reduction strategy consisted of preoperative (blood glucose, bowel preparation, shower, hair removal), intra-operative (prophylactic antibiotics, antimicrobial incisional drape, wound protector, wound closure technique) and postoperative (wound dressing technique) components. The SSI reduction strategy was prospectively implemented and compared with historical controls (pre-SSI strategy arm). Statistical analysis included Pearson's chi-square test, and Student's t-test performed with spss software. Of 1018 patients, 379 were in the pre-SSI strategy arm, 311 in the SSI strategy arm and 328 were included to test durability. The study arms were comparable for all measured parameters. Preoperative wound class, operation time, resection type and stoma creation did not differ significantly. The SSI strategy arm demonstrated a significant decrease in overall SSI rates (32.19% vs 18.97%) and superficial SSI rates (23.48% vs 8.04%). Deep SSI and organ space rates did not differ. A review of patients testing durability demonstrated continued improvement in overall SSI rates (8.23%). The implementation of an SSI reduction strategy resulted in a 41% decrease in SSI rates following colorectal resection over its initial 3years, and its durability as demonstrated by continuing improvement was seen over an additional 2years.

Negative pressure therapy is effective in abdominal incision closure

BackgroundCDC wound classification demonstrates surgical site infection (SSI) occurs in 15%-30% of contaminated (class III) and >30% of dirty-infected (class IV) wounds. Several techniques have been used to decrease SSI rates in midline laparotomy incisions; however, no technique has shown superiority. Evidence suggests incisional negative pressure wound therapy (INPWT) can decrease wound complications, but no literature exists regarding INPWT for high-risk laparotomy incisions. We sought to analyze the efficacy of INPWT in the management of high-risk midline laparotomy incisions. MethodsRetrospective review of adult patients who underwent laparotomy between January 2013 and June 2014 with midline closure using INPWT. Only class III or IV wounds were included. Laparotomy incisions were loosely closed. INPWT set at 125 mm Hg is placed over oil emulsion impregnated gauze. INPWT is removed after 5 d and the wound left open to air. Records were reviewed for immediate and/or delayed surgical site complications. Primary end point was 30-d incisional SSI. Secondary end points included other surgical site complications. ResultsOne class III and 12 class IV wounds were treated with INPWT for a median of 5 d. The class III wound developed a small skin dehiscence with no evidence of superficial or deep SSI. Among class IV wounds, the rate of superficial and deep incisional SSI was 25% and 0%, respectively. The overall surgical site complication rate was 41.7%. ConclusionsINPWT in closure of high-risk midline laparotomy incisions is a safe, effective method of wound closure with equivalent SSI rates to previously described methods.

PD10-03 SIMPLE OPERATING ROOM BUNDLE REDUCES SUPERFICIAL SURGICAL SITE INFECTIONS AFTER MAJOR UROLOGIC SURGERY

Objective To reduce our superficial surgical site infection rate following major urologic surgery by implementing a simple operating room bundle. Methods A simple operating room bundle was applied to all major urologic cases (cystectomy, nephrectomy, and prostatectomy) at a single tertiary referral center. The bundle included allowing skin prep to dry appropriately, changing gloves before skin closure, irrigating the wound before skin closure, and using a new separate sterile closing instrument set for skin closure. Alcohol-based preps were also introduced hospital-wide 3 months into the study period. The SSI rate was obtained from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database. Results The surgical site infection (SSI) rate was assessed after a 14-month study period for a total of 510 cases. Before instituting the alcohol-based prep, but after the bundle was implemented, 138 cases were analyzed over a 3-month period with an SSI rate of 0%. For the remaining 11 months with both the alcohol-based prep and the infection prevention bundle in place, the infection rate was 1.37% (7/510) as compared with 3.57% (22/615) for the 12-month period before bundle introduction, a statistically significant reduction (P = .023). Conclusion The SSI rate after major urologic surgery at 1 center was reduced after the introduction of a simple, fast, low-cost, and easily reproducible bundle into the operating room. The use of this bundle reduces SSI, which is critical for the patient and the physician in this era of public reporting and reimbursement based on outcomes.

A Randomized Trial Comparing Skin Antiseptic Agents at Cesarean Delivery

BackgroundPreoperative skin antisepsis has the potential to decrease the risk of surgical-site infection. However, evidence is limited to guide the choice of antiseptic agent at cesarean delivery, which is the most common major surgical procedure among women in the United States.MethodsIn this single-center, randomized, controlled trial, we evaluated whether the use of chlorhexidine–alcohol for preoperative skin antisepsis was superior to the use of iodine–alcohol for the prevention of surgical-site infection after cesarean delivery. We randomly assigned patients undergoing cesarean delivery to skin preparation with either chlorhexidine–alcohol or iodine–alcohol. The primary outcome was superficial or deep surgical-site infection within 30 days after cesarean delivery, on the basis of definitions from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.ResultsFrom September 2011 through June 2015, a total of 1147 patients were enrolled; 572 patients were assigned to chlorhexidine–alcohol and 575 to iodine–alcohol. In an intention-to-treat analysis, surgical-site infection was diagnosed in 23 patients (4.0%) in the chlorhexidine–alcohol group and in 42 (7.3%) in the iodine–alcohol group (relative risk, 0.55; 95% confidence interval, 0.34 to 0.90; P=0.02). The rate of superficial surgical-site infection was 3.0% in the chlorhexidine–alcohol group and 4.9% in the iodine–alcohol group (P=0.10); the rate of deep infection was 1.0% and 2.4%, respectively (P=0.07). The frequency of adverse skin reactions was similar in the two groups.ConclusionsThe use of chlorhexidine–alcohol for preoperative skin antisepsis resulted in a significantly lower risk of surgical-site infection after cesarean delivery than did the use of iodine–alcohol. (Funded by the National Institutes of Health and Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01472549.)

Surgical site infection rates in dialysis patients undergoing endovascular procedures.

A surgical site infection (SSI) is an infection related to surgery that develops within 30 days after an operation or within 1 year of implant placement. Postoperative SSIs are the most common health-care-associated infections, occurring in up to 5% of surgical patients. Endovascular surgical procedures related to vascular access are common in the dialysis population and may cause SSIs. A large outpatient vascular access system developed and implemented a surveillance program to measure and monitor SSIs in their population. The health-care surveillance system extended to 76 ambulatory care centers across the United States and Puerto Rico. Based on a recorded 92,880 patient encounters, the surveillance system tabulated 12,541 valid patient survey responses documenting self-reported symptoms of infection within a 30-day postoperative period. The SSI rate was tabulated based on the presence of two or more specified indicators of infection: antibiotics, pus, dehiscence, pain, warmth, and swelling. Patients undergoing interventional procedures received surveys at discharge. Data were collected and analyzed using SPSS software. Survey analysis indicated a less than 3% superficial incisional SSI rate in hemodialysis patients undergoing endovascular procedures. The SSI rate for clean wound procedures is generally 2% or less. These data indicate that dialysis patients undergoing interventional procedures in vascular access centers may have a slightly greater risk of developing SSIs due to the presence of additional risk factors including obesity, diabetes, and age. This study was limited by a set of loose diagnostic criteria self-reported by patients, which may have overestimated the prevalence of infection. SSIs are a serious medical problem associated with increased morbidity and mortality and increased medical care costs. All providers should consider an active surveillance program following endovascular procedures given the comorbidities associated with the dialysis population.

Association Between Surgeon Experience and Complication Rates in Adult Scoliosis Surgery: A Review of 5117 Cases From the Scoliosis Research Society Database 2004-2007.

Retrospective review of a multicenter database. To evaluate whether surgeon experience is associated with complication rates in adult spinal deformity (ASD) surgery. Multiple patient- and surgery-related factors have been shown to increase the risk of complications in ASD. No study exists evaluating surgeon experience as an associated factor with complications in ASD. The Scoliosis Research Society Morbidity and Mortality database was queried for patients older than 18 years who underwent ASD from 2004 to 2007. Patient demographics, surgical characteristics, complications, and surgeon membership status were analyzed. Two-tailed t test and χ tests were performed, with P value of less than 0.05 considered significant. A total of 5117 patients underwent ASD surgery. The average patient age was 51.8 years. Patients operated by candidate members were older than those operated by active members (53.1 vs. 51.4, P = 0.003). Active members performed 3836 (75%) cases whereas candidate members performed 1281 cases. There were 1110 (21.7%) revisions. A total of 681 (13.3%) complications were recorded, 498 (13.0%) for active and 183 (14.3%) for candidate members, respectively (P = 0.24). Mortality rate was 0.29%. Spinal cord complications accounted for 0.68% of all cases. Active members had 21 (0.55%) spinal cord complications, whereas candidates had 14 (1.1%) (P = 0.049). There were a total of 174 (3.4%) surgical site infections (SSI). Active members had 82 (2.1%) deep SSI, whereas candidate members had 36 (2.8%) deep SSI (P = 0.164). Active members had 33 (0.9%) superficial SSI whereas candidate members had 23 (1.8%) superficial SSI (P = 0.008). There was a statistically significant, 2-fold increase in the rate of spinal cord complications and superficial SSI among candidate compared with active members. Overall complication rates were similar between candidate and active members. 4.

Continuous Intraoperative Cefazolin Infusion May Reduce Surgical Site Infections During Cardiac Surgical Procedures: A Propensity-Matched Analysis.

The authors sought to determine whether an institutional transition from intermittent to continuous dosing of intraoperative antibiotics in cardiac surgery affected surgical site infection (SSI) outcomes. A retrospective chart review utilizing propensity matching. A single academic, tertiary care hospital. One thousand one hundred seventy-nine patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and/or cardiac valvular surgery between April 2013 and November 2014 who received perioperative cefazolin. By method of cefazolin administration, patients were divided into an "intermittent-dosing" (ID) group and a "continuous-infusion" (CI) group. Of the 1,179 patients who underwent cardiac surgery during the study period, 1:1 propensity score matching yielded 399 patients in each group. Rates of diabetes (33.6% ID v 33.8% CI, p = 0.94), coronary artery bypass (62.3% v 61.4%, p = 0.66), and bilateral internal mammary artery harvesting (6.0% v 8.3%, p = 0.22) were similar between groups. SSIs occurred in more ID patients than CI patients (2.3% v 0.5%, p = 0.03). This difference was driven by decreases in extremity and conduit harvest site SSIs (1.8% v 0.3%, p = 0.03), as there were no episodes of mediastinitis, and superficial sternal SSI rates did not differ (0.5% v 0.3%, p = 0.56). There also were significantly fewer episodes of pneumonia in the CI group (6.0% v 2.3%, p = 0.008). Intensive care unit and total lengths of stay did not differ. Thirty-day mortality was 2.8% in both groups (p = 1.00). As compared to ID regimens, CI cefazolin infusion may reduce post-cardiac surgery infectious complications. Further study in larger patient populations is needed.

Impact of surveillance technique on reported rates of surgical site infection.

Surgical site infection (SSI) surveillance methods vary among infection preventionists. An online survey regarding SSI surveillance technique was administered to infection preventionists and linked to superficial and complex colon SSI rates. Higher superficial but not complex SSI rates were reported when more SSI surveillance techniques were used (P <.0001).

Effects of ascites on outcomes of colorectal surgery in congestive heart failure patients

BackgroundThere are limited data regarding the effects of ascites on outcome of patients undergoing colorectal resection. We sought to identify complications related to ascites. MethodsThe National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database was used to evaluate congestive heart failure (CHF) patients who had ascites before colorectal resection between 2005 and 2012. Multivariate regression analysis was performed to identify affected outcomes. ResultsWe sampled a total of 2,178 patients who suffered CHF and underwent colorectal resection, of which 195 (9%) had preoperative ascites. The mortality rate of patients who had preoperative ascites was 46.2% compared to 25.7% for patients without ascites (adjusted odd ratio [AOR], 3.38; P < .01). Complications affected by ascites include (P < .05) ventilator dependency (AOR, 2.40), acute renal failure (AOR, 2.18), and wound disruption (AOR, 2.44; P < .05). There was no increase in superficial surgical site infection rate in patients with ascites (AOR, 1.01; P = .9). ConclusionsThe presence of ascites in CHF patients is associated with increased mortality in patients undergoing colorectal surgery. There is no correlation between ascites and surgical site infection but wound disruption increases in the presence of ascites.

The preventive surgical site infection bundle in colorectal surgery: an effective approach to surgical site infection reduction and health care cost savings.

Surgical site infections (SSIs) in colorectal surgery are associated with increased morbidity and health care costs. To determine the effect of a preventive SSI bundle (hereafter bundle) on SSI rates and costs in colorectal surgery. Retrospective study of institutional clinical and cost data. The study period was January 1, 2008, to December 31, 2012, and outcomes were assessed and compared before and after implementation of the bundle on July 1, 2011. Academic tertiary referral center among 559 patients who underwent major elective colorectal surgery. The primary outcome was the rate of superficial SSIs before and after implementation of the bundle. Secondary outcomes included deep SSIs, organ-space SSIs, wound disruption, postoperative sepsis, length of stay, 30-day readmission, and variable direct costs of the index admission. Of 559 patients in the study, 346 (61.9%) and 213 (38.1%) underwent their operation before and after implementation of the bundle, respectively. Groups were matched on their propensity to be treated with the bundle to account for significant differences in the preimplementation and postimplementation characteristics. Comparison of the matched groups revealed that implementation of the bundle was associated with reduced superficial SSIs (19.3% vs 5.7%, P < .001) and postoperative sepsis (8.5% vs 2.4%, P = .009). No significant difference was observed in deep SSIs, organ-space SSIs, wound disruption, length of stay, 30-day readmission, or variable direct costs between the matched groups. However, in a subgroup analysis of the postbundle period, superficial SSI occurrence was associated with a 35.5% increase in variable direct costs ($13,253 vs $9779, P = .001) and a 71.7% increase in length of stay (7.9 vs 4.6 days, P < .001). The preventive SSI bundle was associated with a substantial reduction in SSIs after colorectal surgery. The increased costs associated with SSIs support that the bundle represents an effective approach to reduce health care costs.

Underweight Body Mass Index as a Predictive Factor for Surgical Site Infections after Laparoscopic Appendectomy

PurposeAnalyses of risk factors associated with surgical site infections (SSIs) after laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) have been limited. Especially, the association of an underweight body mass index (BMI) with SSIs has not been clearly defined. This study aimed to identify the impact of underweight BMI in predicting SSIs after LA.Materials and MethodsThe records of a total of 101 consecutive patients aged ≥16 years who underwent LA by a single surgeon between March 2011 and December 2012 were retrieved from a prospectively collected database. The rate of SSIs was compared among the underweight, normal and overweight and obese groups. Also, univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify the factors associated with SSIs.ResultsThe overall rate of SSIs was 12.8%. The superficial incisional SSI rate was highest in the underweight group (44.4% in the underweight group, 11.0% in the normal group, and 0% in the overweight and obese group, p=0.006). In univariate analysis, open conversion and being underweight were determined to be risk factors for SSIs. Underweight BMI was also found to be a significant predictor for SSIs in multivariate analysis (odds ratio, 10.0; 95% confidence interval, 2.0-49.5; p=0.005).ConclusionThis study demonstrated underweight BMI as being associated with SSIs after LA. Surgeons should be more cautious to prevent SSIs in patients that are underweight when performing LA.

Comparison of superficial surgical site infection between delayed primary and primary wound closures in ruptured appendicitis

Delayed primary (DPC) and primary (PC) wound closures have been applied in ruptured appendicitis, but results were controversial. This study aims at comparing the rate of superficial surgical site infection (SSI) in ruptured appendicitis between DPC and PC. A retrospective cohort of ruptured appendicitis was conducted between October 2006 and November 2009. Demographic, operative findings and postoperative infection data were retrieved. The superficial SSI rates between groups were compared using an exact test. An odds ratio of SSI was then estimated. One-hundred and twenty eight patients with ruptured appendicitis were eligible and their data were retrieved; 115 (90%) patients had received DPC and 13 (10%) patients had received PC. The SSI rate was much lower in PC patients than in DPC patients, i.e., 7.7% [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.02, 36.0] versus 27.8% (95% CI: 19.9, 37.0), respectively. There was an approximately 72% lower risk of SSI in the PC group than in the DPC group, but this did not reach statistical significance (p=0.18). Our study suggested that PC does not increase risk of SSI in low SSI risk patients with ruptured appendicitis. DPC should not be routinely done.

Surgical site infection rates: open versus hand-assisted colorectal resections

This study was performed to determine impact of open and hand-assisted colorectal resection on surgical site infection (SSI) rates. National Surgical Quality Improvement Project data from 2006 to 2008 were supplemented with an institutional review board-approved chart review. Primary endpoint was SSI rates defined by the Centers for Disease Control National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance system and classified as superficial, deep incisional, and organ space. Inclusion criteria were elective or emergency open or hand-assisted colorectal resections. Wounds were classified as clean-contaminated, contaminated, or dirty-infected. Patients were not included if they underwent laparoscopic colorectal resection, small bowel resection, or stoma creation. Two hundred and forty-five consecutive patients were included over a 29-month period. One hundred and ninety-five open and 50 hand-assisted patients were comparable for gender, body mass index, ethnicity, tobacco addiction, steroid use, type of colorectal resection, operating time, and method of wound closure. Differences in ASA class, wound classification, and preexisting comorbidities resolved when 80 open and 5 hand-assisted patients who underwent emergency resections were excluded from analysis. Rate of stoma creation remained higher in open patients even after excluding emergency cases (p<0.01). Overall SSI rates following open and hand-assisted resections were 28 and 44%, respectively (p=0.015). Superficial SSI rates were higher in hand-assisted patients (20 vs. 40%, p=0.006). Deep (2.1 vs. 4%, p=0.605) and organ space SSI rates (5.1 vs. 0%, p=0.221) did not differ. These results did not change when emergency resections were excluded: overall 28 and 44% (p=0.015), superficial (23 vs. 44%, p=0.009), deep (3.5 vs. 4.4%, p=0.541), and organ space (7 vs. 0%, p=0.066). This study seems to suggest possibly higher rates of incisional SSI in patients who underwent hand-assisted colorectal resection as compared to open. This retrospective study had, however, insufficient power to stratify by surgeon and control for risk factors by logistic regression.

Risk Factors for Superficial vs Deep/Organ-Space Surgical Site Infections

Surgical site infections (SSIs) are the focus of numerous quality improvement initiatives because they are a common and costly cause of potentially preventable patient morbidity. Superficial and deep/organ-space SSIs differ in terms of anatomical location and clinical severity. To identify risk factors that are uniquely predictive of superficial vs deep/organ-space SSIs occurring after colectomy procedures. Retrospective cohort study. American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program. Patients undergoing colectomy procedures in 2011 were identified by Current Procedural Terminology codes. Colectomy procedures. We compared rates of superficial SSI and deep/organ-space SSI associated with perioperative variables of interest: demographics; preoperative clinical severity, risk factors, and comorbidities and variables related to the hospitalization or procedure. Hierarchical multivariable logistic regression models were developed to identify risk-adjusted predictors of each SSI type. Among 27 011 patients identified from 305 hospitals, 6.2% developed a superficial SSI and 4.7% developed a deep/organ-space SSI. Risk factors common to the occurrence of both SSI types were identified: open surgery (vs laparoscopic) and current smoker. Risk factors with differential effects on each SSI type included specific postoperative diagnoses, disseminated cancer, and irradiation therapy, which were all associated with increased odds of deep/organ-space SSI only. The graded relationship between increasing body mass index and SSI occurrence appeared to be stronger for superficial SSI. Risk factors for superficial SSI and deep/organ-space SSI vary in terms of magnitude and significance, suggesting that these SSI types are somewhat different disease processes. Groups interested in preventing SSIs might improve success by considering these SSI types independently for root-cause analyses and development of best practices and interventions.

Surveillance of post-caesarean surgical site infections in a hospital with limited resources, Cambodia

In Cambodia, we implemented a pilot surveillance of superficial surgical site infections (SSSI) following caesarean deliveries (CD) in a provincial hospital, to estimate their incidence, describe their clinical management, and determine their causative pathogens. Between October 2010 and February 2011, all women admitted for CD were included in the surveillance. Their clinical condition was monitored for a post-operative period of 30 days, including two assessments performed by surgeons. Cases were clinically diagnosed by surgeons, with bacterial cultures performed. Of the 222 patients admitted for CD, 176 (79.3%) were monitored for 30 days. Of these, 11 were diagnosed with a SSSI, giving an incidence rate of 6.25% (95% CI 3.2-10.9). Four of the cases (36.4%) were detected after hospital discharge. Length of hospitalization was significantly longer for the SSSI cases. All 222 patients were prescribed antibiotics. Ampicillin was administered intravenously to 98.6% of them, with subsequent oral amoxicillin given to 82.9%. Three of six pus samples collected were positive on culture: two with Staphylococcus aureus and one with Staphylococcus lugdunensis. One S.aureus was methicillin resistant (MRSA). The other was clindamycin and erythromycin resistant. Surveillance of health-care associated infections in a setting with limited resources is challenging but feasible. Effective post-discharge surveillance was essential for the estimation of the incidence rate of SSSI following caesarean deliveries. This surveillance led to a peer-review of medical practices.

Surgical Care Improvement Project (SCIP): Has Its Mission Succeeded?

The purpose of this study was to determine if adherence to the surgical care improvement project (SCIP) measures could further reduce rate of surgical site infection (SSI) and venous thromboembolism (VTE) in total joint arthroplasty (TJA) patients. We retrospectively identified all patients who underwent primary or revision TJA at our institution between July 2000 and June 2009. After implementation of SCIP measures, rate of superficial SSI increased (0.42% versus 0.60%, P=0.05) while rate of deep SSI decreased from 0.92% to 0.82% (P=0.46). The rate of DVT was 0.92% before and 0.83% after implementation of SCIP (P=0.51); however, rate of PE increased from 0.87% to 1.30% (P=0.002). Our findings indicated that SCIP has not been successful in reducing complications in TJA patients.

Laparoscopic Versus Open Surgery for Stage I Rectal Cancer: Long‐term Oncologic Outcomes

Laparoscopic resection is increasingly being performed for rectal cancer. However, few data are available to compare long-term outcomes after open versus laparoscopic surgery for early-stage rectal cancer. Included in this retrospective study were 160 patients who underwent surgery for stage I rectal cancer between 2001 and 2008. Perioperative outcomes, overall survival (OS), and disease-free survival (DFS) were compared for open versus laparoscopic surgery. Altogether, 85 patients were treated using open surgery and 80 with laparoscopic surgery. Postoperative mortality (0 vs. 1.3%; p = 1.00), morbidity (31.3 vs. 25.0%; p = 0.38), and harvested lymph nodes (22.5 vs. 20.0; p = 0.84) were similar for the two groups. However, operating time was longer (183.8 vs. 221.0 min; p = 0.008), volume of intraoperative bleeding was less (200.0 vs. 150.0 ml; p = 0.03), time to first bowel movement was shorter (3.54 vs. 2.44 days; p < 0.001), rate of superficial surgical-site infection was lower (7.5 vs. 0%; p = 0.03), and postoperative hospital stay was shorter (11.0 vs. 8.0 days; p < 0.001) in the laparoscopy group than in the open surgery group. At 5 years, there was no difference in OS (98.6 vs. 97.1%; p = 0.41) or DFS (98.2 vs. 96.4%; p = 0.30) between the open and laparoscopy groups. Long-term outcomes of laparoscopic surgery for stage I rectal cancer were comparable to those of open surgery. Laparoscopic surgery, however, produced more favourable short-term outcomes than open surgery.

Temporal Trends in the Incidence of Surgical Site Infections in Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery: A Population-Based Cohort Study, 1993 to 2008

ObjectiveTo determine the incidence of and temporal trends in surgical site infections (SSIs) in patients underoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. MethodsA population-based cohort study was conducted to describe the epidemiologic features of SSI in Olmsted County, Minnesota, between January 1, 1993, and December 31, 2008, using the Rochester Epidemiology Project. Period-specific incidence rates (in-hospital or within 30 days outside the hospital) were calculated. Logistic regression analysis was used to adjust for potential confounders that could affect temporal trends in SSI incidence rates. ResultsDuring the 16-year study, of 1424 residents of Olmsted County who underwent CABG surgery, 1189 (83%) had isolated CABG and 235 (17%) had combined CABG and valve surgery. The overall SSI incidence rate was 7.0% (95% confidence interval [CI], 5.7%-8.4%). The incidence rate of superficial sternal SSI was 2.0% (95% CI, 1.2%-2.7%) and of deep sternal SSI was 1.5% (95% CI, 0.9%-2.2%). The leg harvest site infection rate was 3.6% (95% CI, 2.6 %-4.5%). The incidence rate decreased over time with a statistically significant linear trend. The adjusted odds ratio (95% CI) of SSI showed a decreasing linear trend: 0.39 (0.19-0.81) vs 0.50 (0.27-0.93) vs 0.83 (0.48-1.42) vs reference for 2005-2008 vs 2001-2004 vs 1997-2000 vs 1993-1996. ConclusionIn this population-based surveillance study of patients undergoing CABG surgery, the incidence of SSI decreased markedly between 1993 and 2008 in patients in Olmsted County. The factors responsible for this decrease are the focus of ongoing investigations.

Thirty-day outcomes of laparoscopic versus open appendectomy in elderly using ACS/NSQIP database

Although laparoscopic appendectomy is becoming the procedure of choice over open appendectomy in the treatment of appendicitis, its role in the elderly has not been widely studied. The objective of this study was to compare the 30-day outcomes after laparoscopic versus open for appendicitis in the elderly patients. Using the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS/NSQIP) databases for years 2005-2009, 3,674 patients (age >65 years) who underwent an appendectomy for appendicitis were identified. Seventy-two percent of the procedures were performed laparoscopically. In addition to aggregate cohort analysis, propensity score 1:1 matching was used to minimize the treatment selection bias. The association between surgical approach and morbidity, mortality, and length of stay (LOS) were analyzed. In the aggregate cohort analysis, patients who underwent an open appendectomy had a higher rate of minor morbidity (9.3% vs. 4.5%; p < 0.001), overall morbidity (13.4% vs. 8.2%, p < 0.001), and mortality (2% vs. 0.9%, p = 0.003). However, in the matched cohort analysis, open appendectomy was only associated with a higher rate of minor morbidity (9.3% vs. 5.7%; p = 0.002) and overall morbidity (13.4% vs. 10.1%; p = 0.02) but similar mortality rates (2% vs. 1.5%; p = 0.313). In matched cohort analysis, open appendectomy also was associated with a higher rate of superficial surgical site infection (SSI) (3.8% vs. 1.4%; p < 0.001) and a lower rate of organ/space SSI (1.3% vs. 2.9%; p = 0.009). Laparoscopic appendectomy was associated with a shorter LOS in both aggregate and matched cohorts compared with open appendectomy (p < 0.001). Within ACS NSQIP hospitals, elderly patients benefited from a laparoscopic approach to appendicitis with regards to a shorter LOS and a lower minor and overall morbidity. Laparoscopic appendectomy was associated with lower superficial SSI and higher organ/space SSI rates.