Prospective multicenter study on the incidence of surgical site infection after emergency abdominal surgery in China

Pathogenetic characteristics and related risk factors of incisional infection after surgery for acute intestinal obstruction and construction of prediction model

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the causative factors, antimicrobial resistance patterns, and associated risk factors of postoperative incisional infections in patients with acute intestinal obstruction and to develop a predictive model.

METHODS

A retrospective study was conducted on patients with acute intestinal obstruction (n = 329) admitted to the Emergency Surgery Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University between January 1, 2020, and December 31, 2022. Patients were included based on specific criteria. Wound drainage samples from patients with postoperative incisional infections were collected for bacterial culture and drug susceptibility testing. Patients were randomly divided into a training set (n = 231) and a validation set (n = 98) at a 7:3 ratio. Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) regression was employed to screen variables and select predictors. Multivariate logistic regression was utilized to analyze risk factors and develop a predictive model. The area under the curve (AUC) was calculated to assess the model's discriminatory ability, and calibration and decision curve analyses were performed.

RESULTS

Among the 329 patients, 37 (11.25%) developed postoperative incisional infections. Bacterial cultures were positive in 32 of 37 infected patients (86.48%). Gram-negative bacteria, primarily Escherichia coli, accounted for 65.63% of isolates, while gram-positive bacteria, predominantly Enterococcus faecium, comprised 28.12%. Fungi, mainly Candida albicans, constituted 6.25%. Gram-negative bacteria exhibited high resistance to ceftriaxone but low resistance to imipenem. Gram-positive bacteria demonstrated higher resistance to erythromycin than ciprofloxacin, with no vancomycin-resistant strains identified. LASSO regression identified seven variables, which were further analyzed using multivariate logistic regression to identify six independent risk factors for incisional infection. A predictive model was developed based on these six factors: age ≥ 60 years, diabetes history, operative time ≥ 3 h, colorectal obstruction, enterostomy, and hemoglobin (HGB). The AUCs for the training and validation sets were 0.952 (95% CI 0.914-0.990) and 0.982 (95% CI 0.959-1.000), respectively. Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit tests and calibration curves demonstrated good model fit. Decision curve analysis indicated a significant clinical net benefit of the predictive model.

CONCLUSION

Gram-negative bacteria constitute the primary causative agents of postoperative incisional infections in patients with acute intestinal obstruction. Moreover, these bacteria exhibit significant resistance to commonly used antibiotics. To mitigate the risk of such infections, clinicians should prioritize the monitoring of gram-negative bacterial growth. Prophylactic antibiotic administration can further reduce the incidence of these infections. Additionally, a predictive model incorporating six key variables-age ≥ 60 years, diabetes mellitus, operative time ≥ 3 h, colorectal obstruction, enterostomy, and HGB-can aid in identifying high-risk patients. This model enables clinicians to implement targeted early monitoring and preventive strategies, ultimately improving patient outcomes.

Predictive accuracy of the complex 30-day model for colon surgical site infections in emergent operations

BACKGROUND

Surgical site infections (SSI) following colon surgery continue to pose a significant clinical and financial impact on a healthcare system. The National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) utilizes the Complex 30-day SSI model to report the predictive number of infections for a hospital, which is submitted to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. However, this model does not account for patient acuity. The primary aim of the study was to determine the predictive accuracy of the model for predicting colon SSI in patients undergoing urgent and emergent general surgical procedures.

METHODS

The National Surgery Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database was queried for variables used in the NHSN Complex 30-day SSI model from 2016 to 2022. Patients ≥18 years old who underwent an urgent/emergent general surgery colon operation were included. Utilizing model variables and coefficients, the predicted number of infections was calculated. A receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve was generated and the area under the curve (AUC) calculated to evaluate the model's predictive accuracy.

RESULTS

Of the 476,178 patients included, 51 ​% were female with a mean age of 58 (±24), 15.7 ​% had diabetes, 35.2 ​% had body mass index (BMI) ​≥ ​30mg/kg2 and 61.1 ​% has ASA classification of 3/4/5. The overall infection rate was 4.3 ​%. In patients sustaining an SSI, 16.6 ​% had diabetes, 36.7 ​% had BMI ≥30mg/kg2, and 68.0 ​% had an ASA class of 3/4/5. The ROC curve revealed an AUC of 0.554 (95 ​% CI: 0.5498, 0.5577.) CONCLUSIONS: Our findings demonstrate the Complex 30-day SSI model currently has a predictive accuracy only slightly better than chance in patients undergoing urgent or emergent general surgical colon operations. This may have significant impact on hospitals caring for patients with a higher acuity. Future models should take into consideration the acuity of the operation in efforts to improve the predictive accuracy in this patient population.

High incidence of multidrug-resistant organisms and modifiable risk factors associated with surgical site infections: a cohort study in a tertiary medical center in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from 2020 to 2023

BACKGROUND

Surgical site infections (SSIs) are a persistent challenge in healthcare, contributing significantly to patient morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. Despite advancements in preventive measures, SSIs remain prevalent, especially in countries like Malaysia where rates are higher than in high-income nations.

METHODS

A prospective, cohort study was conducted at the University Malaya Medical Center (UMMC), Malaysia, from November 2020 to May 2023. Clinical and microbiological data were collected, and logistic regression were performed to identify risk factors associated with SSIs.

RESULTS

A total of 1,815 patients undergoing orthopedic, neurosurgical, and general surgical procedures were monitored for SSIs. The incidence rate of SSIs was 3.23 per 100 procedures (n = 71) with significant associations observed between SSI occurrence and prolonged surgical duration > 100 min, extended hospitalization > 5 days, trauma-to-surgery interval > 8 days, and presence of implants. Common pathogens isolated included Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) were identified in 42.1% of the total isolates.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, a high rate of MDRO and risk factors for SSI were identified. It emphasises the need for ongoing surveillance to guide infection prevention strategies and antimicrobial stewardship programs. Future research should prioritize evaluating the impact of targeted interventions tailored to identified risk factors to optimize surgical patient outcomes.

A nutrition-based nomogram for predicting intra-abdominal infection after D2 radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer

BACKGROUND

This study aims to construct a nutrition-based nomogram for predicting the risk of intra-abdominal infection (IAI) after D2 radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer (GC).

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 404 individuals who received D2 radical gastrectomy for GC. Four preoperative nutrition-related indicators, the nutritional risk screening (NRS) 2002 score, albumin (ALB), prognostic nutritional index (PNI), and controlling nutritional status (CONUT) score, were collected and calculated. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was utilized to screen the independent risk factors for IAI following D2 radical gastrectomy for GC. The area under the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve (AUROC) was computed. A nomogram was established to forecast postoperative IAI using the independent risk factors.

RESULTS

The NRS2002 score, ALB, PNI, CONUT score, fasting blood glucose (FBG), American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score, type of resection, multi-visceral resection, perioperative blood transfusion, and the tumor, node, metastasis (TNM) stage were significantly associated with postoperative IAI. Considering the collinearity between these nutrition-related variables, four multivariate logistic regression analyses were separately performed, and four independent nutrition-based models were constructed. Of these, the best one was the model based on the three indicators of NRS2002 score, FBG, and multi-visceral resection, which had an AUROC of 0.744 (0.657-0.830), with a specificity of 75.6% and a sensitivity of 62.9%. Further, a nomogram was constructed to estimate the probability of IAI following D2 radical gastrectomy. The internal validation was carried out using the bootstrap method with self-help repeated sampling 1000 times, and the concordance index (c-index) was determined at 0.742 (95% CI = 0.739-0.745). The calibration curve revealed that the predictive results of the nomogram were in excellent concordance with the actual observations. The decision curve analysis (DCA) indicates that the nomogram has excellent clinical benefit.

CONCLUSION

The nomogram constructed based on NRS2002 score, FBG, and multi-visceral resection has good predictive capacity for the incidence of IAI following D2 radical gastrectomy and provides a reference value for clinicians to assess the risk of IAI occurrence.

Effect of Comorbidities on the Incidence of Surgical Site Infection in Patients Undergoing Emergency Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background

Surgical site infection (SSI) is a significant concern in patients undergoing emergency surgery, particularly in those with underlying comorbidities. This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effect of comorbidities, including diabetes mellitus, hypertension, obesity, pulmonary disease, cardiac disease, liver disease, and renal disease, on the incidence of SSI in patients undergoing emergency surgery.

Methods

We performed a systematic literature search across electronic databases including PubMed, ScienceDirect, Cochrane Library, ProQuest, and Google Scholar to identify studies examining the effect of comorbidities on the incidence of SSI in patients undergoing emergency surgery. To determine the effect size, pooled odds ratios (ORs) were calculated. Statistical analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.3 software.

Results

Thirteen studies involving 8,952 patients undergoing emergency surgery were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled analysis showed that the following comorbidities significantly increased the risk of SSI following emergency surgery: diabetes mellitus (OR = 2.22; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.52 - 3.25; P < 0.0001), obesity (OR = 1.43; 95% CI = 1.19 - 1.72; P = 0.0001), and liver disease (OR = 1.66; 95% CI = 1.37 - 2.00; P < 0.00001). However, hypertension, pulmonary disease, cardiac disease, and renal disease showed no significant association with SSI.

Conclusions

In patients undergoing emergency surgery, the presence of comorbidities including diabetes mellitus, obesity, and liver disease increases the incidence of developing SSI.

Identification of predictive factors for surgical site infections in gastrointestinal surgeries: A retrospective cross-sectional study in a resource-limited setting

Background

Surgical site infection (SSI), albeit infrequent, drastically impacts the quality of care. This article endeavors to investigate the predictive factors of SSIs following surgical interventions that involve the gastrointestinal (GI) tract within a single institution in a resource-limited setting.

Methods

Over seven years from June 2015 to June 2022, patients who underwent GI surgery and developed SSI were retrospectively matched with an unaffected case-control cohort of patients. Standardized techniques for wound culture, laboratory evaluation of bacterial isolates, and antibiotic susceptibility tests were employed. Logistic regression analysis was utilized to investigate the predictive factors associated with 30-day postoperative SSI occurrence.

Results

A total of 525 patients who underwent GI surgical procedures were included, among whom, 86 (16.4%) developed SSI and the majority of SSIs were superficial (74.4%). Escherichia coli was the most commonly isolated bacterium (54.4%), and a high percentage of multidrug-resistant organisms were observed (63.8%). In multivariate Cox regression analysis, illiteracy (Odds ratio [OR]:40.31; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 9.54-170.26), smoking (OR: 21.15; 95% CI: 4.63-96.67), diabetes (OR: 5.07; 95% CI: 2.27-11.35), leukocytosis (OR: 2.62; 95% CI: 1.24-5.53), hypoalbuminemia (OR: 3.70; 95% CI: 1.35-10.16), contaminated and dirty wounds (OR: 6.51; 95% CI:1.62-26.09), longer operation duration (OR: 1.02; 95% CI: 1.01-1.03), emergency operations (OR: 12.58; 95% CI: 2.91-54.30), and extending antibiotic prophylaxis duration (OR: 3.01; 95% CI: 1.28-7.10) were the independent risk factors for SSI (all p < 0.05).

Conclusions

This study highlights significant predictors of SSI, including illiteracy, smoking, diabetes, leukocytosis, hypoalbuminemia, contaminated and dirty wounds, longer operative time, emergency operations, and extending antibiotic prophylaxis duration. Identifying these risk factors can help surgeons adopt appropriate measures to reduce postoperative SSI and improve the quality of surgical care, especially in a resource-limited setting with no obvious and strict policy for reducing SSI.

Effective Surgical Site Infection Prevention Strategies for Diabetic Patients Undergoing Surgery: A Systematic Review

Surgical site infections (SSIs) pose a significant clinical challenge, with heightened risks and severe consequences for diabetic patients undergoing surgical procedures. This systematic review aims to synthesize the current evidence on effective prevention strategies for mitigating SSI risk in this vulnerable population. From inception to March 2024, we comprehensively searched multiple electronic databases (PubMed, Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library, CINAHL) to identify relevant studies evaluating SSI prevention strategies in diabetic surgical patients. Our search strategy followed Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines, utilizing a combination of keywords and Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms related to diabetes, surgical site infections, prevention strategies, and surgical procedures. Inclusion criteria focused on peer-reviewed clinical trials, randomized controlled trials, and meta-analyses published in English. The search yielded three studies meeting the eligibility criteria, subject to data extraction and qualitative synthesis. Key findings highlighted the efficacy of interventions such as optimized perioperative glycemic control, timely prophylactic antibiotic administration, and meticulous preoperative skin antisepsis in reducing SSI rates among diabetic surgical patients. The potential for personalized prevention approaches based on individual patient factors, such as diabetes type and surgical complexity, was explored. This systematic review underscores the importance of a multifaceted, evidence-based approach to SSI prevention in diabetic surgical patients, integrating strategies like glycemic control, antibiotic prophylaxis, and preoperative skin antisepsis. Furthermore, our findings suggest the potential benefits of personalized care pathways tailored to individual patient characteristics. Implementing these interventions requires interdisciplinary collaboration, adaptation to diverse healthcare settings, and patient engagement through culturally sensitive education initiatives. This comprehensive analysis informs clinical practice, fosters patient safety, and contributes to the global efforts to enhance surgical outcomes for this high-risk population.

Intra-Abdominal Abscess and Bacteremia Due to Stenotrophomonas maltophilia After Total Gastrectomy: A Case Report and Literature Review

Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (S. maltophilia) is increasingly recognized as a pathogen responsible for nosocomial infections, particularly in immunocompromised patients. The most common types of S. maltophilia infections are pneumonia and catheter-related bloodstream infection, and clinical cases of intra-abdominal abscesses due to S. maltophilia are rare. We present a rare case of intra-abdominal abscess and bacteremia as a surgical site infection (SSI) caused by S. maltophilia in a patient following total gastrectomy. We also reviewed previous literature to elucidate the clinical characteristics of intra-abdominal abscess due to S. maltophilia. The patient, a 75-year-old man with diabetes and polymyositis (treated with prednisolone), developed a fever 17 days after undergoing a total gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Abdominal computed tomography revealed a hypodense solid mass at the esophagojejunostomy site, which appeared to be an intra-abdominal abscess. The culture of both blood and drained abscess pus confirmed only S. maltophilia. Treatment with intravenous trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and abscess drainage led to complete resolution. The patient recovered and was discharged and did not experience a recurrence. We reviewed the English literature and found only two additional case reports of intra-abdominal abscesses caused by S. maltophilia. As in our case, the intra-abdominal abscess occurred after abdominal surgery and the source was suspected to be deep SSI. This case highlights the importance of considering S. maltophilia as a potential pathogen in patients with atypical post-surgical abdominal infections. Physicians should be aware that S. maltophilia has the potential to cause intra-abdominal abscesses secondary to SSI, in addition to Enterobacteriaceae, a major causative pathogen of SSI. Further studies are required to elucidate the etiology, epidemiology, and risk factors for SSI caused by S. maltophilia.

Primary Closure Versus Delayed Primary Closure of Class III and IV Surgical Wounds Following Emergency Laparotomy: A Prospective Comparative Study

Introduction Emergency surgery has a high risk of complications due to the detrimental effect of perioperative sepsis and the relative lack of preoperative optimization of patients. Despite advances in critical care for the management of sepsis, its prevention is dependent on various patient and surgeon factors. Surgical site infection continues to be a major determinant of morbidity and mortality following emergency abdominal surgery, especially in contaminated or dirty wounds. This study aims to compare two techniques of abdominal wall closure, primary closure with subcutaneous suction drains and delayed primary closure following negative pressure wound therapy, in terms of incidence of surgical site infection and morbidity. Materials and methods The study was a prospective comparative study including 50 patients with an acute surgical abdomen requiring laparotomy. The patients were randomized into two groups, Group A (n=25) who underwent primary closure, and Group B (n=25) who underwent delayed primary closure. In Group B patients, a vacuum-assisted closure device was applied in the subcutaneous space for five days prior to the closure of the skin. Outcomes were compared in terms of the incidence of superficial and deep surgical site infection, its association with diabetes mellitus, and the total duration of hospital stay. A chi-square test and an unpaired t-test were used for the test of significance. Results A total of 50 patients, comparable in age, were included in the study. The overall incidence of surgical site infection was significantly higher in patients of Group A as compared to Group B (p=0.0046). There was a positive correlation between diabetes mellitus and the occurrence of wound infection in both groups with the odds ratio being 2.67 and 2.38 respectively. The incidence of superficial wound infection was significantly higher in Group A when compared to Group B (52% versus 24%; p=0.04). Deep surgical site infection was higher in patients of Group A (20% versus 8%) but was not statistically significant (p=0.22). The average duration of hospital stay was 41.56 ± 6.96 and 37.86 ± 6.68 days for patients who developed complications from Groups A and B respectively, while it was nearly two and a half times lower in uncomplicated cases of Groups A and B (11.71± 1.70 days and 16.58± 1.06 days respectively). The one-tailed unpaired t-test showed a significant difference in means of hospital stay between patients with and without complications (T: 17.06, critical value: 1.677). Conclusion Delayed primary closure is an effective method of managing contaminated and dirty wounds following emergency laparotomy. Negative pressure wound therapy is one technique for preventing wound bed infection and accelerating wound healing in such cases. By combining the above in emergency surgeries, the incidence of surgical site infection and duration of hospital stay can be significantly reduced.

Predictors for surgical site infection in patients undergoing therapeutic or prophylactic intra-abdominal onlay mesh (IPOM) implantation in clean and contaminated surgical fields

BACKGROUND

Prophylactic intra-abdominal onlay mesh (IPOM) implantation has been shown to reduce the rate of fascial dehiscence and incisional hernia. However, surgical site infection (SSI) in presence of an IPOM remains a concern. The aim of this study was to assess predictors for SSI following IPOM placement in hernia and non-hernia abdominal surgery in clean and contaminated surgical fields.

METHODS

Observational study including patients undergoing IPOM placement at a Swiss tertiary care hospital 2007-2016. IPOM implantation was performed in hernia and non-hernia elective and emergency abdominal surgery, including contaminated and infected surgical fields. The incidence of SSI was prospectively assessed by Swissnoso according to CDC criteria. The effect of disease- and procedure-related factors on SSI was assessed in multivariable regression analysis, adjusting for patient-related factors.

RESULTS

A total of 1072 IPOM implantations were performed. Laparoscopy was performed in 415 patients (38.7%), laparotomy in 657 patients (61.3%). SSI occurred in 172 patients (16.0%). Superficial, deep, and organ space SSI were found in 77 (7.2%), 26 (2.4%), and 69 (6.4%) patients, respectively. Multivariable analysis revealed emergency hospitalization (OR 1.787, p = 0.006), previous laparotomy (1.745, p = 0.029), duration of operation (OR 1.193, p < 0.001), laparotomy (OR 6.167, p < 0.001), bariatric (OR 4.641, p < 0.001), colorectal (OR 1.941, p = 0.001), and emergency (OR 2.510, p < 0.001) surgery, wound class ≥ 3 (OR 3.878, p < 0.001), and non-polypropylene mesh (OR 1.818, p = 0.003) as independent predictors for SSI. Hernia surgery was independently associated with a lower risk for SSI (OR 0.165, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

This study revealed emergency hospitalization, previous laparotomy, duration of operation, laparotomy, as well as bariatric, colorectal, and emergency surgery, abdominal contamination or infection, and usage of non-polypropylene mesh as independent predictors for SSI. In contrast, hernia surgery was associated with a lower risk for SSI. The knowledge of these predictors will help to balance benefits of IPOM implantation against the risk for SSI.

The efficacy of intraoperatie continuous glucose monitoring in patients undergoing liver transplantation: a study protocol for a prospective randomized controlled superiority trial

BACKGROUND

The high incidence of intraoperative glucose dysregulations in liver transplantation (LT) is related to the lack of highly orchestrated control of intraoperative blood glucose. Glucose monitoring based on a single arterial blood gas test can only provide a simple glucose profile and is insufficient in monitoring intraoperative glycemic variability (GV), which is not conducive to controlling GV and may have a lag in the management of hyper/hypoglycemia. Continuous glucose monitor (CGM), which has been successfully applied in the management of chronic disease in diabetes, provides more detailed blood glucose records and reflect GV parameters such as coefficient of variation (CV%). However, its effectiveness and accuracy for guiding blood glucose management in major surgeries remains unclear.

METHODS

This is a single-center, randomized, controlled, superiority trial. One hundred and eighty patients scheduled for orthotopic LT will be recruited and randomized into two groups. All patients are monitored for intraoperative glucose using CGM combined with arterial blood gas (ABG). In the intervention group (group CG), ABG will be performed when CGM value is < 6.1 mmol/L or > 10.0 mmol/L, or the rate of change of CGM value > 1.67 mmol/(L·min). In the control group (group G), intraoperative ABG tests will be performed every 2 h, and the frequency of ABG tests will be adjusted based on the previous arterial glucose result. Patients in both groups will have their blood glucose adjusted according to arterial glucose values and a uniform protocol. Surgical and other anesthetic management is completed according to standard LT practices.

DISCUSSION

This study intends to investigate the effectiveness of CGM-based intraoperative glucose management and its impact on the prognosis of LT patients by comparing the GV, mean glucose values, and the incidence of hypo/hypoglycemic events guided by the above two glucose monitoring methods.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

This study is registered at www.chictr.org.cn on January 4, 2022, under the registration number ChiCTR2200055236.

Case report: Adrenal myelolipoma resected by laparoscopic surgery

INTRODUCTION

Adrenal myelolipomas are benign tumors composed mainly of lipomatous elements with myeloid cells. With the development of medical imaging technology, the detection rate has gradually increased. We report a case of adrenal myelolipoma successfully excised through the laparoscope and reviewed existing literature in recent ten years to summarize the feasibility of the laparoscopic approach for this tumor.

CASE PRESENTATION

Herein, we described a case of adrenal myelolipoma resected by laparoscope in a 63-year-old male patient. He did not have any other symptoms except the incidental finding of a left adrenal mass. An abdominal CT examination revealed a mixed-density lesion containing some amount of adipose tissue. In conjunction with the patient's willingness, we performed a laparoscopic operation to remove the lump. The definite diagnosis was confirmed as an adrenal myelolipoma according to the pathology. The patient recovered well postoperatively and without signs of recurrence at a 5-month follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Adrenal myelolipoma is commonly benign, asymptomatic, and hormonal inactivity. A surgical strategy is suggested for high-complication-risk patients. The laparoscopic approach is safe and effective with an obvious advantage over open procedures.

Predictive nomogram for deep brain stimulation-related infections

OBJECTIVE

Infection is one of the important and frequent complications following implantable pulse generator and deep brain stimulation (DBS) electrode insertion. The goal of this study was to retrospectively evaluate and identify potential risk factors for DBS infections.

METHODS

From January 2015 to January 2021 in Qingdao municipal hospital (training cohort) and The First Affiliated Hospital of the University of Science and Technology of China (validation cohort), the authors enrolled patients with Parkinson disease who had undergone primary DBS placement or implantable pulse generator replacement. The cases were divided into infection or no-infection groups according to the 6-month follow-up. The authors used the logistic regression models to determine the association between the variables and DBS infection. Depending on the results of logistic regression, the authors established a nomogram. The calibration curves, receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, and decision curves were used to evaluate the reliability of the nomogram.

RESULTS

There were 191 cases enrolled in the no-infection group and 20 cases in the infection group in the training cohort. The univariate logistic regression showed that BMI, blood glucose, and albumin were all significant predictors of infection after DBS surgery (OR 0.832 [p = 0.009], OR 1.735 [p < 0.001], and OR 0.823 [p = 0.001], respectively). In the crude, adjust I, and adjust II models, the three variables stated above were all considered to be significant predictors of infection after DBS surgery. The calibration curves in both training and validation cohorts showed that the predicted outcome fitted well to the observed outcome (p > 0.05). The decision curves showed that the nomogram had more benefits than the "All or None" scheme. The areas under the curve were 0.93 and 0.83 in the training and validation cohorts, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The nomogram included BMI, blood glucose, and albumin, which were significant predictors of infection in patients with DBS surgery. The nomogram was reliable for clinical application.

No impact of sex on surgical site infections in abdominal surgery: a multi-center study

OBJECTIVE

Male sex is controversially discussed as a risk factor for surgical site infections (SSI). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the impact of sex on SSI in abdominal surgery under elimination of relevant confounders.

METHODS

Clinicopathological data of 6603 patients undergoing abdominal surgery from a multi-center prospective database of four Swiss hospitals including patients between 2015 and 2018 were assessed. Patients were stratified according to postoperative SSI and risk factors for SSI were identified using univariate and multivariate analysis.

RESULTS

In 649 of 6603 patients, SSI was reported (9.8%). SSI was significantly associated with reoperation (22.7% vs. 3.4%, p < 0.001), increased mortality rate (4.6% vs. 0.9%, p < 0.001), and increased rate of length of hospital stay > 75th percentile (57.0% vs. 17.9%, p < 0.001). In univariate analysis, male sex was a significant risk factor for SSI (p = 0.01). In multivariate analysis including multiple confounders' such as comorbidities and perioperative factors, there was no association between male sex and risk of SSI (odds ratio (OR) 1.1 [CI 0.8-1.4]). Independent risk factors for SSI in multivariate analysis were BMI ≥ 30 kg/m² (OR 1.8 [CI 1.3-2.3]), duration of surgery > 75th percentile (OR 2.3 [1.8-2.9]), high contamination level (OR 1.3 [1.0-1.6]), laparotomy (OR 1.3 [1.0-1.7]), previous laparotomy (OR 1.4 [1.1-1.7]), blood transfusion (OR 1.7 [1.2-2.4]), cancer (OR 1.3 [1.0-1.8] and malnutrition (OR 2.5 [1.8-3.4]).

CONCLUSION

Under elimination of relevant confounders, there is no significant correlation between sex and risk of SSI after abdominal surgery.

Loop and drain technique for prevention of surgical site infection in upper gastrointestinal surgery

INTRODUCTION

Hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery is frequently complicated by surgical site infections (SSI) with significant postoperative morbidity and mortality rates contributing to the economic burden on healthcare. Advancements in operative techniques to prevent SSI are gaining traction in clinical practice. This study compares the effectiveness of the 'loop and drain technique (LDT)', a combination method utilizing a continuous subcutaneous vessel loop and subcuticular suture for surgical wound closure in patients undergoing upper gastrointestinal surgery at a Metropolitan Hospital in Sydney.

METHODS

A retrospective review of patients who underwent an upper gastrointestinal procedure was conducted at Bankstown-Lidcombe hospital between 2017 and 2019. There were 77 patients in the LDT group and 123 patients included in the control group. The primary outcome assessed was the rate of SSI. Secondary outcomes included length of stay (LOS) and drainage of surgical site infections.

RESULT

Two hundred adult patients were treated for an upper gastrointestinal procedure. The most common operation was a Whipple procedure (35.0%). The rate of SSI was 12.5% with all these patients receiving intravenous antibiotics. The LDT cohort had a significantly lower rate of SSI compared to their counterparts (3.9% vs. 17.9%, P = 0.004).

CONCLUSION

The LDT method is associated with a decreased incidence of SSI and should be considered as a cost-effective operative technique to improve patient outcomes after upper gastrointestinal surgery.

Knowledge, attitude, and practice of surgical site infection prevention among operating room nurses in southwest China

Background

Surgical site infection has become a problem in the operating room, and the nurses' knowledge, attitude, and practice could impact the incidence of the infection. Unfortunately, there is a dearth of studies on this issue in China. Therefore, determining nurses' knowledge, attitude, and practice of surgical site infection prevention is necessary.

Objectives

This study aimed to examine the knowledge, attitude, and practice of surgical site infection prevention and their relationships, as well as to identify differences in knowledge, attitude, and practice of surgical site infection prevention according to nurses' demographic characteristics.

Methods

A sample of 999 operating room nurses participated in 49 tertiary hospitals and 75 secondary hospitals in Guizhou Province, Southwest China. Data were collected using validated questionnaires through a Chinese survey website. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, One-Way Analysis of Variance, and Pearson product-moment correlation.

Results

The knowledge of surgical site infection prevention was at a low level, the attitude was positive, and the practice was at a high level. Approximately 39% of the nurses passed knowledge scores of ≥ 70%, 60% gave a positive attitude score of ≥ 80%, and 76% achieved a practice score of ≥ 80%. The nurses' attitude was positively related to knowledge (p < .01), and practice (p < .01), respectively. However, knowledge and practice did not significantly relate. The age group of 30-39 years old had significant higher knowledge than other age groups. The nurses with working experience of 6-15 years had significant higher knowledge scores than other groups. In addition, the nurses with one time of training frequency had significant lower attitude and practice scores than those with six to ten times of training frequency.

Conclusion

Approximately 60% of operating room nurses still had inadequate knowledge regarding surgical site infection prevention, but they had a positive attitude and high level of practice. The findings of this study might serve as an input for nurse administrators or policymakers to provide updated knowledge or guideline, closed supervision, and in-service training on surgical site infection prevention for operating room nurses.

Current Insights: The Impact of Gut Microbiota on Postoperative Complications in Visceral Surgery-A Narrative Review

Postoperative complications are a major problem occurring in up to 50% of patients undergoing major abdominal surgery. Occurrence of postoperative complications is associated with a significantly higher morbidity and mortality in affected patients. The most common postoperative complications are caused by an infectious genesis and include anastomotic leakage in case of gastrointestinal anastomosis and surgical site infections. Recent research highlighted the importance of gut microbiota in health and disease. It is plausible that the gut microbiota also plays a pivotal role in the development of postoperative complications. This narrative review critically summarizes results of recent research in this particular field. The review evaluates the role of gut microbiota alteration in postoperative complications, including postoperative ileus, anastomotic leakage, and surgical site infections in visceral surgery. We tried to put a special focus on a potential diagnostic value of pre- and post-operative gut microbiota sampling showing that recent data are inhomogeneous to identify a high-risk microbial profile for development of postoperative complications.

Epidemiology of surgical site infection following abdominal surgeries at a reference hospital in North-West Cameroon

Background:

Aim:

Materials and Methods:

Results:

Conclusion: