Perioperative antimicrobial prophylaxis in neurosurgery: clinical trial of systemic flomoxef administration and saline containing gentamicin for irrigation

Prevention of Surgical Site Infection Following Open Spine Surgery: The Efficacy of Intraoperative Wound Irrigation with Normal Saline Containing Gentamicin Versus Dilute Povidone-Iodine

BACKGROUND

Intraoperative wound irrigation (IOWI) is an important step in preventing surgical site infection (SSI). This study compared the effectiveness of saline with gentamicin versus povidine-iodine (PI) as IOWI solutions in preventing SSI in open spine surgery.

METHODS

It is a prospective comparative study. Patients who had noninstrumented open spine surgery were randomized into 2 groups. Group A and B patients had their surgical wounds irrigated with saline containing gentamicin solution and dilute PI solution, respectively. Both groups were assessed for the occurrence of SSI.

RESULTS

A total of 80 patients, divided into 2 groups of 40 each completed the study. Overall, the SSI rate was 17.5% for patients in the normal saline containing gentamicin group (A) and 2.5% for those in the dilute PI group (B), this difference was statistically significant (P = 0.025). The cervical and thoracic spine regions have the same SSI rate (7.1% and 0%, respectively) in both groups. However, in the lumbosacral region, the SSI rate was 31.6% in A and 0% in B, this was statistically significant (P = 0.006). The isolated organisms in patients with SSI were staphylococcus species (42.86% of SSI in A and 0% in B) and pseudomonas species (42.86% of SSI in group A and 100% in group B), and this difference was profound in the lumbosacral spine region (P = 0.008).

CONCLUSIONS

IOWI with 3.5% dilute PI solution is more efficacious in preventing SSI and has wider microbial coverage compared to normal saline containing gentamicin solution as IOWI fluid in noninstrumented open spine surgery.

Preoperative antibiotic prophylaxis regimen in brain tumour surgery in Sweden: a quasi-experimental study

Background

There has been varied clinical practice concerning antibiotic prophylaxis in patients undergoing craniotomy. In Sweden, both Cloxacillin and Cefuroxime have frequently been used. We aimed to study the clinical effectiveness of these two regimens.

Methods

A quasi-experimental design was used. The sample consisted of 580 adult (> 18 years) patients operated 2012–2015, of which 375 received Cloxacillin (pre-intervention group) and 205 received Cefuroxime (intervention group). Primary endpoint was the incidence of surgical site infection (SSI) 12 months after surgery, while secondary endpoints were the need for reoperation due to SSI, the amount antibiotics used and the number of visits in the outpatient clinic related to SSI. A control group from another institution was reviewed to rule out clinical trial effects.

Results

When analysed by intention to treat, the pre-intervention group had a significant higher incidence of SSI, 13.3% (50/375) vs 5.4% (11/205) in the intervention group (p < 0.01). A treatment per protocol analysis confirmed the result. The number of reoperations due to SSI were significantly reduced in the intervention group, 3.4% (7/205) vs 8.3% (31/375) (p = 0.02), as was the total antibiotic use (p = 0.03) and the number of visits in the outpatient clinic (p < 0.01). In the control group, the reoperation rate as result of SSI was lower (p = 0.02) prior to the opposite change from Cefuroxime to Cloxacillin, 1.8% (27/1529) vs 3.1% (43/1378).

Conclusion

In Sweden, Cefuroxime as prophylaxis in brain tumour surgery by craniotomy seems to be superior to Cloxacillin.

An international based survey about preferences in neurosurgical irrigation fluids in neurotrauma procedures

Background: Traumatic brain injury surgery is the most frequently performed by neurosurgeons. The use of 0.9% saline solution (normal saline) irrigation and other solutions during neurosurgical procedures has been considered a cause of neural tissue injury. The normal saline has been used for many years, but at cellular level it may cause harmful changes. The emergence of new solutions, such as artificial cerebrospinal fluid and Ringer's lactate, seem to produce less damage effects on brain tissue. The aim of this study is to evaluate the trends in use of irrigation solutions in traumatic brain injury surgeries.

Materials and Methods: This study was conducted through a web-based survey sent to 40 neurosurgeons worldwide.

Results: Over the period of the study data was collected from the 40 physicians and the 100% of the respondents used any type of irrigation solution during neurosurgery. Conclusion: The use of normal saline in brain surgery is a widespread practice worldwide, despite the negative effects on neural tissue as it may contribute to further damage. The conception of new irrigation solutions for neurosurgery, especially in traumatic brain injury, may be a useful alternative for future studies and to expand our knowledge on this topic.

Possible detrimental effects of neurosurgical irrigation fluids on neural tissue: an evidence based analysis of various irrigants used in contemporary neurosurgical practice

Physiological saline and other solutions used as irrigation fluids during neurosurgical procedures have long been debated to cause adverse effects on neural tissue. Laboratory based research over the past fifty years has described the possible harm caused to central nervous system cells by normal saline, and has advocated the use of safer alternatives such as lactated Ringer's solution and artificial cerebrospinal fluid. However, there is a dearth of corresponding clinical studies to support this standpoint. Worldwide, normal saline remains the most widely used neurosurgical irrigation fluid. We have attempted to document the preference of practicing neurosurgeons worldwide regarding the irrigation fluids via an electronic mail survey, and have analyzed the available evidence on the relative safety of various irrigation fluids. We recommend the use of lactated Ringer's solution and artificial cerebrospinal fluid as neurosurgical irrigants, especially during neuroendoscopy and longer procedures requiring application of copious amount of irrigation fluid.

Topical antibiotics and neurosurgery: Have we forgotten to study it?

BACKGROUND

For neurosurgery, the last decades have been a time of incredible improvement in areas such as imaging, microscopy, endoscopy, stereotactic guidance, navigation, radiosurgery and endovascular techniques. However, the efficacy of topical antibiotic prophylaxis in neurological operations remains to be established by neurosurgeons.

METHODS

The authors did an historical review of the literature regarding the utilization of topical antibiotic prophylaxis in neurological operations. The Pub Med database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine / National Institutes of Health was utilized as the primary source of the literature. The authors performed the search by using the following Mesh terms: "neurosurgery" or "neurosurgical procedures" and "administration, topical" and "antibiotic prophylaxis"; "neurosurgery" or "neurosurgical procedures" and "administration, topical" and "antibacterial agents."

RESULTS

In the last 70 years, we have poorly studied the use of topical antibiotics in neurosurgery. All the papers reported were Class III evidence.

CONCLUSION

To the best of our knowledge, there is no publication that provided Class I or II evidence about topical antibiotic prophylaxis in neurosurgery.

Risk factors for surgical site infection following spine surgery: efficacy of intraoperative saline irrigation

OBJECT

The purpose of this study was to identify risk factors for surgical site infection after spine surgery, noting the amount of saline used for intraoperative irrigation to minimize wound contamination.

METHODS

The authors studied 223 consecutive spine operations from January 2006 through December 2006 at our institute. For a case to meet inclusion criteria as a site infection, it needed to require surgical incision and drainage and show positive intraoperative cultures. Preoperative and intraoperative data regarding each patient were collected. Patient characteristics recorded included age, sex, and body mass index (BMI). Preoperative risk factors included preoperative hospital stay, history of smoking, presence of diabetes, and an operation for a traumatized spine. Intraoperative factors that might have been risk factors for infection were collected and analyzed; these included type of procedure, estimated blood loss, duration of operation, and mean amount of saline used for irrigation per hour. Data were subjected to univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses.

RESULTS

The incidence of surgical site infection in this population was 6.3%. According to the univariate analysis, there was a significant difference in the mean duration of operation and intraoperative blood loss, but not in patient age, BMI, or preoperative hospital stay. The mean amount of saline used for irrigation in the infected group was less than in the noninfected group, but was not significantly different. In the multivariate analysis, sex, advanced age (> 60 years), smoking history, and obesity (BMI > 25 kg/m(2)) did not show significant differences. In the analysis of patient characteristics, only diabetes (patients receiving any medications or insulin therapy at the time of surgery) was independently associated with an increased risk of surgical site infection (OR 4.88). In the comparison of trauma and elective surgery, trauma showed a significant association with surgical site infection (OR 9.42). In the analysis of surgical factors, a sufficient amount of saline for irrigation (mean > 2000 ml/hour) showed a strong association with the prevention of surgical site infection (OR 0.08), but prolonged operation time (> 3 hours), high blood loss (> 300 g), and instrumentation were not associated with surgical site infection.

CONCLUSIONS

Diabetes, trauma, and insufficient intraoperative irrigation of the surgical wound were independent and direct risk factors for surgical site infection following spine surgery. To prevent surgical site infection in spine surgery, it is important to control the perioperative serum glucose levels in patients with diabetes, avoid any delay of surgery in patients with trauma, and decrease intraoperative contamination by irrigating > 2000 ml/hour of saline in all patients.

Infection control in a hernia clinic: 24 year results of aseptic and antiseptic measure implementation in 4,620 "clean cases"

Post Mesh Herniorrhaphy Infection [PMHI] occurs between 3 to 4% of inguinal and 8 to 14% of ventral herniorrhaphies producing an unacceptably high morbidity. Before opening a Hernia Clinic, our infection rate was around 5% for "clean" inguinals and 8% for "clean" ventral herniorrhaphies. Starting in 1982 we implemented a stricter operative aseptic protocol plus the per-operative administration of 1 g of intravenous Cefazolin. In addition, wounds were irrigated with a solution containing 80 mgs of Gentamycin Sulphate dissolved in 250 ml of Normal Saline Solution. During a period of 25 years these measures were used in 4300 consecutive "clean "Inguinal and 320 "clean" Ventral herniorrhaphies. Since the implementation of the above-mentioned aseptic and antiseptic steps no further wound infections were encountered. In our hands, the combination of rigorous aseptic operating room routine plus intravenous and topical antibiotics have, up to now, effectively eliminated wound infections in "clean" herniorrhaphy cases.