Incidence and risk factors for surgical site infection post-gynecological operations in a tertiary hospital in Egypt: a retrospective study

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) is the most common complication of surgical procedures in gynecology and it poses a significant burden for both patients and healthcare systems. Our objective was determining the incidence and risk factors for SSI post-gynecological operations during the period of five years.Methods: A matched case-control study at Minia maternity university, Egypt where A total of 18772 cases had undergone different gynecological procedures. The 876 cases were complicated with SSI (SSI cases group) and 2 matched controls per case were chosen from the rest of the cases and served as the control group (n=1752 cases).Results: The overall incidence of SSI post-gynecological operations was 4.67% and post-hysterectomy was 7.57%. SSI group had a significantly higher number of cases with diabetes, obesity, high parity (>4), increased blood loss and those had prolonged duration of surgery compared to the control group (all p<0.01).Conclusions: The identified risk factors are crucial for risk stratification of SSI and prioritizing interventions to improve the outcome. These results could give a picture for SSI post-gynecological operations in our country and identifying these risk factors is crucial for risk stratification of SSI and prioritizing interventions to improve the outcome.

The Use of Artificial Neural Networks for the Prediction of Surgical Site Infection Following TKA

This is a retrospective study. Surgical site infection (SSI) is associated with adverse postoperative outcomes following total knee arthroplasty (TKA). However, accurately predicting SSI remains a clinical challenge due to the multitude of patient and surgical factors associated with SSI. This study aimed to develop and validate machine learning models for the prediction of SSI following primary TKA. This is a retrospective study for patients who underwent primary TKA. Chart review was performed to identify patients with superficial or deep SSIs, defined in concordance with the criteria of the Musculoskeletal Infection Society. All patients had a minimum follow-up of 2 years (range: 2.1–4.7 years). Five machine learning algorithms were developed to predict this outcome, and model assessment was performed by discrimination, calibration, and decision curve analysis. A total of 10,021 consecutive primary TKA patients was included in this study. At an average follow-up of 2.8 ± 1.1 years, SSIs were reported in 404 (4.0%) TKA patients, including 223 superficial SSIs and 181 deep SSIs. The neural network model achieved the best performance across discrimination (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve = 0.84), calibration, and decision curve analysis. The strongest predictors of the occurrence of SSI following primary TKA, in order, were Charlson comorbidity index, obesity (BMI >30 kg/m2), and smoking. The neural network model presented in this study represents an accurate method to predict patient-specific superficial and deep SSIs following primary TKA, which may be employed to assist in clinical decision-making to optimize outcomes in at-risk patients.

Experience of small tissue bites with conventional tissue bites in emergency setting for midline abdominal wound closure

Background: Midline incision provides excellent access to the abdominal cavity. However, wound infection following a laparotomy can increase morbidity as well as burden on health care system. Wound prognosis can be influenced by the type of incisions, suture material and the method of closure. This study aimed to assess the outcome of midline abdominal wound closure using two different techniques of wound closure.Methods: This was a prospective observational study and consisted of 300 consecutive patients ≥18 years of age undergoing abdominal surgery through a midline incision in emergency setting. Patients who were included in the study were then randomised into two groups. In group I, midline laparotomy was closed with large tissue bites and in group II small tissue bites were used.Results: Out of 300 patients included in this study, 150 patients were subjected to large tissue bites and another 150 patients to small tissue bites. 29 patients out of 150 patients (19%) in large tissue bites group and 16 patients (11%) in small tissue bites developed surgical site infection (SSI). 23 patients out of 50 patients (15%) in large tissue bites group and 11 patients (7%) in small tissue bites developed wound dehiscence.Conclusions: In this study, we found that the patients in group II whose midline laprotomy was closed with small tissue bites had better wound outcome postoperatively in terms of wound site infection and wound dehiscence.

Laparoscopic Hernia Repair with the Extraperitoneal Approach versus Open Hernia Repair in Pediatric Inguinal Hernia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Objective: This systematic review and meta-analysis investigated the feasibility and effectiveness of laparoscopic hernia repair with the extraperitoneal approach in pediatric inguinal hernias. Summary Background Data: Inguinal hernia repair is the most common operation in pediatric surgical practice. Although open hernia repair (OHR) is a well-established procedure with good outcomes, studies have reported acceptable or even better outcomes of laparoscopic hernia repair with the extraperitoneal approach (LHRE). However, a meta-analysis comparing LHRE with OHR is lacking. Methods: PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and comparative studies (prospective or retrospective). Outcomes were metachronous contralateral inguinal hernia (MCIH), hernia recurrence, surgical site infection, operation time, and hospitalization length. A meta-analysis was performed, and risk ratios (RR), weighted mean difference (WMD), and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using random-effects models. Results: Five RCTs and 21 comparative studies involving 24,479 patients were included. Lower MCIH incidence (RR: 0.11, 95% CI: 0.07 to 0.17; p < 0.00001) and a trend of shorter operation time (WMD: −11.90 min, 95% CI: −16.63 to −7.44; p < 0.00001) were found in the LHRE group. No significant differences in ipsilateral recurrence hernias, surgical site infection, and length of hospitalization were found between the groups. Conclusions: LHRE presented lower MCIH incidence and shorter operation times, with no increase in hernia recurrence, surgical site infection, or length of hospitalization. As more surgeons are increasingly becoming familiar with LHRE, LHRE would be a feasible and effective choice for pediatric inguinal hernia repair.

Burden and outcome of neonatal surgical conditions in Nigeria: A countrywide multicenter cohort study

Background: Despite a decreasing global neonatal mortality, the rate in sub-Saharan Africa is still high. The contribution and the burden of surgical illness to this high mortality rate have not been fully ascertained. This study is performed to determine the overall and disease-specific mortality and morbidity rates following neonatal surgeries; and the pre, intra, and post-operative factors affecting these outcomes. Methods: This was a prospective observational cohort study; a country-wide, multi-center observational study of neonatal surgeries in 17 tertiary hospitals in Nigeria. The participants were 304 neonates that had surgery within 28 days of life. The primary outcome measure was 30-day postoperative mortality and the secondary outcome measure was 30-day postoperative complication rates. Results: There were 200 (65.8%) boys and 104 (34.2%) girls, aged 1-28 days (mean of 12.1 ± 10.1 days) and 99(31.6%) were preterm. Sepsis was the most frequent major postoperative complication occurring in 97(32%) neonates. Others were surgical site infection (88, 29.2%) and malnutrition (76, 25.2%). Mortality occurred in 81 (26.6%) neonates. Case-specific mortalities were: gastroschisis (14, 58.3%), esophageal atresia (13, 56.5%) and intestinal atresia (25, 37.2%). Complications significantly correlated with 30-day mortality (p <0.05). The major risk predictors of mortality were apnea (OR=10.8), severe malnutrition (OR =6.9), sepsis (OR =7. I), deep surgical site infection (OR=3.5), and re-operation (OR=2.9). Conclusion: Neonatal surgical mortality is high at 26.2%. Significant mortality risk factors include prematurity, apnea, malnutrition, and sepsis.