Recognising and preventing surgical site infection after orthopaedic surgery

Surgical Site Infection after Bone Tumor Surgery: Risk Factors and New Preventive Techniques

The management of malignant bone tumors requires multidisciplinary interventions including chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgical tumor resection and reconstruction. Surgical site infection (SSI) is a serious complication in the treatment of malignant bone tumors. Compared to other orthopedic surgeries, the surgical treatment of malignant bone tumors is associated with higher rates of SSIs. In patients with SSIs, additional surgeries, long-term administrations of antibiotics, extended hospital stays, and the postponement of scheduled adjuvant treatments are required. Therefore, SSI may adversely affect functional and oncological outcomes. To improve surgical outcomes in patients with malignant bone tumors, preoperative risk assessments for SSIs, new preventive techniques against SSIs, and the optimal use of prophylactic antibiotics are often required. Previous reports have demonstrated that age, tumor site (pelvis and tibia), extended operative time, implant use, body mass index, leukocytopenia, and reconstruction procedures are associated with an increased risk for SSIs. Furthermore, prophylactic techniques, such as silver and iodine coatings on implants, have been developed and proven to be efficacious and safe in clinical studies. In this review, predictive factors of SSIs and new prophylactic techniques are discussed.

Plan-Do-Check-Action Circulation Combined with Accelerated Rehabilitation Nursing under Computed Tomography in Prevention and Control of Hospital Infection in Elderly Patients Undergoing Elective Orthopedic Surgery

To explore the adoption of plan-do-check-action (PDCA) circulation combined with accelerated rehabilitation nursing based on gemstone spectral imaging computed tomography (GSICT) in the prevention and control of hospital infection in the elderly patients undergoing the elective orthopedic surgery, 80 elderly patients who underwent the elective orthopedic surgery in the hospital were selected. Then, according to the randomized controlled principle, these 80 patients were divided into control group (40 cases) with conventional nursing and observation group (40 cases) with accelerated rehabilitation surgical nursing combined with PDCA circulation. All the patients underwent the GSICT examination without any contraindicators. Compared with the conventional CT scan, metal artifacts in GSICT were considerably reduced. In the images processed by GSI and metal artifacts reduction system (MARS), metal artifacts were basically eliminated and the positions, forms, and edges of metal artifacts in the human body were clearly presented. Hospital infection occurred in 1 (2.5%) patient in the observation group and 5 (12.5%) patients in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). In terms of temperature increase, patients in control group (37.5%) had a remarkably higher value than that of observation group (7.5%). The increase rate of white blood cell (WBC) count in control group (12.5%) was obviously higher than that in observation group (2.5%). Besides, the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). After PDCA circulation combined with accelerated rehabilitation nursing mode was applied, the hospitalization time of observation group (5.3 ± 2.4 days) was markedly lower than that of control group (9.7 ± 3.8 days). Moreover, the total hospitalization cost of observation group (791.44 yuan) was notably lower than that of control group (4068.96 yuan), with significant differences (P < 0.05). Nursing satisfaction in observation group (92.5%) was higher than that in control group (77.5%), and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). In short, GSICT could effectively reduce beam hardening artifacts and metal implant artifacts and improve image quality. Furthermore, accelerated rehabilitation nursing combined with PDCA circulation could effectively reduce the incidence of hospital infection and improve nursing satisfaction.

Correlation between surgical site infection and time-dependent blood platelet count in immunocompromised patients after femoral neck fracture

Objective

The incidence of surgical site infection (SSI) after femoral neck fracture is significantly higher in immunocompromised patients. This study was performed to explore the temporal changes of blood-related parameters in immunocompromised patients after femoral neck fracture repair and to determine the correlation between the platelet (PLT) count and SSI.

Methods

This study involved 101 immunocompromised patients who underwent repair of a femoral neck fracture from April 2018 to August 2019. SSI was confirmed by postoperative observation of the incision and B-mode ultrasound imaging examination. Blood parameter measurements and dynamic observation were performed 1, 3, 5, 7, and 14 days postoperatively.

Results

The procalcitonin concentration, D-dimer concentration, and PLT count were strongly correlated with temporal changes. The PLT count changes crossed between patients with and without SSI 3 to 5 days after surgery, and the PLT count increased in patients with SSI 3 to 5 days after surgery. The PLT count had high specificity and sensitivity for predicting SSI with a cut-off value of 167.5 × 109/L.

Conclusion

The temporal changes of the PLT count in immunocompromised patients who have undergone femoral neck fracture repair can serve as an early warning of SSI.

Variation in practice for preoperative antibiotic prophylaxis: a survey from an academic tertiary referral center in the United States

Background

Antibiotic surgical prophylaxis is a core strategy for prevention of surgical site infections (SSI). Despite best practice guidelines and known efficacy of antibiotic prophylaxis in decreasing SSI risk, there is often wide variation in its use. This study was designed to determine the individual perspectives of perioperative providers at an academic tertiary referral center regarding their knowledge of preoperative antibiotic choice, dosing, and timing.

Methods

A prospective survey was conducted amongst surgical and anesthesia team members involved in preoperative antibiotic decision making. The survey addressed ten key principles relating to preoperative antibiotic use, including antibiotic choice, timing and rate of infusion, and dosing. The survey was distributed among orthopaedic surgeons, residents, and anesthesia providers at their respective monthly service line meetings between August 2017 to June 2019. The data was stored and analyzed in a Microsoft Excel worksheet.

Results

A total of 73 providers completed the survey. Twenty-two (30 %) of the providers agreed and 47 (64 %) disagreed that both vancomycin and cefazolin are equally effective for antibiotic prophylaxis. As for antibiotic choice in patients with penicillin allergies, 37 (51 %) agreed with vancomycin, 21 (29 %) agreed with clindamycin, and 15 (21 %) disagreed with both alternatives. When providers were surveyed regarding the appropriateness of standard versus weight adjusted dosing, 67 (92 %) agreed that vancomycin should be weight adjusted and 63 (86 %) agreed that cefazolin should be weight adjusted.

Conclusions

There is no clear consensus amongst providers for which antibiotic to administer for antibiotic prophylaxis despite existing guidelines. Discrepancy also exists between orthopaedic surgery and anesthesia providers in regards to appropriate antibiotic choice for patients with reported penicillin allergies. Institutions should implement evidence-based protocols for preoperative antibiotic prophylaxis and continue to prospectively monitor compliance in order to identify any inconsistencies that could result in inappropriate antibiotic prophylaxis for patients.