Current concept of abdominal sepsis: WSES position paper

2016 WSES guidelines on acute calculous cholecystitis

Acute calculus cholecystitis is a very common disease with several area of uncertainty. The World Society of Emergency Surgery developed extensive guidelines in order to cover grey areas. The diagnostic criteria, the antimicrobial therapy, the evaluation of associated common bile duct stones, the identification of “high risk” patients, the surgical timing, the type of surgery, and the alternatives to surgery are discussed. Moreover the algorithm is proposed: as soon as diagnosis is made and after the evaluation of choledocholitiasis risk, laparoscopic cholecystectomy should be offered to all patients exception of those with high risk of morbidity or mortality. These Guidelines must be considered as an adjunctive tool for decision but they are not substitute of the clinical judgement for the individual patient.

Protection from septic peritonitis by rapid neutrophil recruitment through omental high endothelial venules

Acute peritonitis is a frequent medical condition that can trigger severe sepsis as a life-threatening complication. Neutrophils are first-responders in infection but recruitment mechanisms to the abdominal cavity remain poorly defined. Here, we demonstrate that high endothelial venules (HEVs) of the greater omentum constitute a main entry pathway in TNFα-, Escherichia coli (E. coli)- and caecal ligation and puncture-induced models of inflammation. Neutrophil transmigration across HEVs is faster than across conventional postcapillary venules and requires a unique set of adhesion receptors including peripheral node addressin, E-, L-selectin and Mac-1 but not P-selectin or LFA-1. Omental milky spots readily concentrate intra-abdominal E. coli where macrophages and recruited neutrophils collaborate in phagocytosis and killing. Inhibition of the omental neutrophil response exacerbates septic progression of peritonitis. This data identifies HEVs as a clinically relevant vascular recruitment site for neutrophils in acute peritonitis that is indispensable for host defence against early systemic bacterial spread and sepsis.

Heart Rate Variability in Porcine Progressive Peritonitis-Induced Sepsis

Accumulating evidence suggests that heart rate variability (HRV) alterations could serve as an indicator of sepsis progression and outcome, however, the relationships of HRV and major pathophysiological processes of sepsis remain unclear. Therefore, in this experimental study HRV was investigated in a clinically relevant long-term porcine model of severe sepsis/septic shock. HRV was analyzed by several methods and the parameters were correlated with pathophysiological processes of sepsis. In 16 anesthetized, mechanically ventilated, and instrumented domestic pigs of either gender, sepsis was induced by fecal peritonitis. Experimental subjects were screened up to the refractory shock development or death. ECG was continuously recorded throughout the experiment, afterwards RR intervals were detected and HRV parameters computed automatically using custom made measurement and analysis MATLAB routines. In all septic animals, progressive hyperdynamic septic shock developed. The statistical measures of HRV, geometrical measures of HRV and Poincaré plot analysis revealed a pronounced reduction of HRV that developed quickly upon the onset of sepsis and was maintained throughout the experiment. The frequency domain analysis demonstrated a decrease in the high frequency component and increase in the low frequency component together with an increase of the low/high frequency component ratio. The reduction of HRV parameters preceded sepsis-associated hemodynamic changes including heart rate increase or shock progression. In a clinically relevant porcine model of peritonitis-induced progressive septic shock, reduction of HRV parameters heralded sepsis development. HRV reduction was associated with a pronounced parasympathetic inhibition and a shift of sympathovagal balance. Early reduction of HRV may serve as a non-invasive and sensitive marker of systemic inflammatory syndrome, thereby widening the therapeutic window for early interventions.

Antibiotic resistance evaluation and clinical analysis of acute appendicitis; report of 1431 consecutive worldwide patients: A cohort study

BACKGROUND

Acute appendicitis (AA) is one of the most common diseases affecting especially young but also older people. A systematic evaluation of bacteriology of AA has been frequently conducted in children but is not well known and discussed in adult population.

STUDY DESIGN

The study has been obtained from two multicenter prospective observational studies (CIAO and CIAOW studies). The aim of the study is to analyze the intra-abdominal bacteriology in AA and its relation with clinical outcomes.

RESULTS

Patients included were 1431, 806 male (56.3%). The mean/median age was 38.9 (SD ± 18.4) and 35 (range 18-94). Clinical condition at the admission was sepsis in 623 patients (43.5%), severe sepsis and septic shock in 29 (2%) and 10 (0.7%). Peritonitis was localized in 1107 patients (77.4%) and generalized in 324 (22.6%). Adequate source-control and empirical antimicrobial therapy were reported in 95.2% and 88.7% of the patients. 47 isolated bacteria (6.8%) were resistant. Two (4.2%) were health-care-associated infections and 45 (95.7%) were community-acquired infections. Univariate analysis showed factor associated to resistant bacteria was the inadequacy of the empiric antimicrobial therapy (p = 0.013); at multivariated analysis factors associated with mortality were age>70 years (p = 0.003) and severe sepsis at the admission (p = 0.02); factors associated to ICU admission were: severe sepsis (p < 0.0001), generalized peritonitis (p < 0.0001), malignancy (p < 0.0001) and cardiovascular disease (p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSION

The evolution of antimicrobial resistance, in common community-acquired infections, combined with lack of new antibiotics development are strictly linked to clinical outcomes. Adequate empirical antimicrobial therapy is fundamental to counteract bacterial resistance.

Active Negative Pressure Peritoneal Therapy After Abbreviated Laparotomy: The Intraperitoneal Vacuum Randomized Controlled Trial

Supplemental Digital Content is Available in the Text.

This randomized trial observed a survival difference between patients randomized to the ABThera versus Barker's vacuum pack after abbreviated laparotomy. As this difference did not seem to be mediated by improved peritoneal fluid drainage, fascial closure rates, or markers of systemic inflammation, it should be confirmed by a multicenter trial.

Objective:

To determine whether active negative pressure peritoneal therapy with the ABThera temporary abdominal closure device reduces systemic inflammation after abbreviated laparotomy.

Background:

Excessive systemic inflammation after abdominal injury or intra-abdominal sepsis is associated with poor outcomes.

Methods:

We conducted a single-center, randomized controlled trial. Forty-five adults with abdominal injury (46.7%) or intra-abdominal sepsis (52.3%) were randomly allocated to the ABThera (n = 23) or Barker's vacuum pack (n = 22). On study days 1, 2, 3, 7, and 28, blood and peritoneal fluid were collected. The primary endpoint was the difference in the plasma concentration of interleukin-6 (IL-6) 24 and 48 hours after temporary abdominal closure application.

Results:

There was a significantly lower peritoneal fluid drainage from the ABThera at 48 hours after randomization. Despite this, there was no difference in plasma concentration of IL-6 at baseline versus 24 (P = 0.52) or 48 hours (P = 0.82) between the groups. There was also no significant intergroup difference in the plasma concentrations of IL-1β, −8, −10, or −12 p70 or tumor necrosis factor α between these time points. The cumulative incidence of primary fascial closure at 90 days was similar between groups (hazard ratio, 1.6; 95% confidence interval, 0.82–3.0; P = 0.17). However, 90-day mortality was improved in the ABThera group (hazard ratio, 0.32; 95% confidence interval, 0.11–0.93; P = 0.04).

Conclusions:

This trial observed a survival difference between patients randomized to the ABThera versus Barker's vacuum pack that did not seem to be mediated by an improvement in peritoneal fluid drainage, fascial closure rates, or markers of systemic inflammation.

Trial Registration:

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT01355094.

The role of the open abdomen procedure in managing severe abdominal sepsis: WSES position paper

The open abdomen (OA) procedure is a significant surgical advance, as part of damage control techniques in severe abdominal trauma. Its application can be adapted to the advantage of patients with severe abdominal sepsis, however its precise role in these patients is still not clear. In severe abdominal sepsis the OA may allow early identification and draining of any residual infection, control any persistent source of infection, and remove more effectively infected or cytokine-loaded peritoneal fluid, preventing abdominal compartment syndrome and deferring definitive intervention and anastomosis until the patient is appropriately resuscitated and hemodynamically stable and thus better able to heal. However, the OA may require multiple returns to the operating room and may be associated with significant complications, including enteroatmospheric fistulas, loss of abdominal wall domain and large hernias. Surgeons should be aware of the pathophysiology of severe intra-abdominal sepsis and always keep in mind the option of using open abdomen to be able to use it in the right patient at the right time.

A proposal for a CT driven classification of left colon acute diverticulitis

Computed tomography (CT) imaging is the most appropriate diagnostic tool to confirm suspected left colonic diverticulitis. However, the utility of CT imaging goes beyond accurate diagnosis of diverticulitis; the grade of severity on CT imaging may drive treatment planning of patients presenting with acute diverticulitis. The appropriate management of left colon acute diverticulitis remains still debated because of the vast spectrum of clinical presentations and different approaches to treatment proposed. The authors present a new simple classification system based on both CT scan results driving decisions making management of acute diverticulitis that may be universally accepted for day to day practice.