The Association between Pathologic Complete Response after Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy and Postoperative Complications

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> With growing interest in the watch-and-wait strategy, the benefits of avoiding surgery and its complications must be weighed against possible recurrence and need for salvage surgery. However, the relationship between pathologic complete response (pCR) and postoperative complications has not been well established. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> This is a retrospective study using the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Proctectomy and Colectomy Procedure-Targeted databases from 2016 to 2018. The association between pCR and major complications, sepsis, anastomotic leak or organ space infection, return to the operating room, or septic shock was analyzed. <b><i>Results:</i></b> A total of 3,878 rectal cancer patients who received chemotherapy or radiation therapy within 90 days of surgery were included in this study. The pCR rate was 12.8%. There was no statistically significant association between pCR and major complications (adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 0.48, <i>p</i> = 0.12) after risk adjustment. Those with pCR had no statistically significant association with anastomotic leak or organ space infection, return to the operating room, or septic shock but had significantly lower odds of sepsis (adjusted OR = 0.42, <i>p</i> = 0.03). <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> It is reassuring that pCR is not associated with postoperative complications and that those with pCR are less likely to have postoperative sepsis after risk adjustment since postoperative sepsis after rectal surgery has been associated with poorer oncologic outcomes.

Implementation of an organ space infection prevention bundle reduces the rate of organ space infection after elective colorectal surgery

BackgroundSurgical site infections (SSIs) are morbid and costly complications after elective colorectal surgery. SSI prevention bundles have been shown to reduce SSI in colorectal surgery, but their impact on organ space infections (OSI) is variable. Adoption of an evidence-based practice without an implementation strategy is often unsuccessful. Our aim was to successfully implement an OSI prevention bundle and to achieve a cost-effective reduction in OSI following elective left-sided colorectal operations.MethodsThe Translating Research into Practice model was used to implement an OSI prevention bundle in all patients undergoing elective left-sided colorectal resections by a single unit from November 2018 to September 2019. The new components included oral antibiotics with mechanical bowel preparation, when required, and use of impermeable surgical gowns. Other standardised components included alcoholic chlorhexidine skin preparation, glove change after bowel handling prior to wound closure with clean instruments. The primary outcome was OSI. Secondary outcomes included bundle compliance, unintended consequences and total patient costs. Outcomes were compared with all patients undergoing elective left-sided colorectal resections at the same institution in 2017.ResultsElective colorectal resections were performed in 173 patients across two cohorts. The compliance rate with bundle items was 63% for all items and 93% for one omitted item. There was a reduction in OSI from 12.9% (11 of 85) to 3.4% (3 of 88, p<0.05) after implementation of the OSI prevention bundle. The average cost of an OSI was $A36 900. The estimated savings for preventing eight OSIs by using the OSI bundle in the second cohort was $A295 198.ConclusionSuccessful implementation of an OSI prevention bundle was associated with a reduced rate of OSI after elective colorectal surgery. The OSI bundle and its implementation were cost-effective. Further study is required to investigate the sustainability of the OSI prevention bundle.

Empiric antifungals do not decrease the risk for organ space infection in patients with perforated peptic ulcer

IntroductionInfection control in patients with perforated peptic ulcers (PPU) commonly includes empiric antifungals (AF). We investigated the variation in the use of empiric AF and explored the association between their use and the subsequent development of organ space infection (OSI).MethodsThis was a secondary analysis of a multicenter, case–control study of patients treated for PPU at nine institutions between 2011 and 2018. Microbiology and utilization of empiric AF, defined as AF administered within 24 hours from the index surgery, were recorded. Patients who received empiric AF were compared with those who did not. The primary outcome was OSI and secondary outcome was OSI with growth of Candida spp. A logistic regression was used to adjust for differences between the two cohorts.ResultsA total of 554 patients underwent a surgical procedure for PPU and had available timing of AF administration. The median age was 57 years and 61% were male. Laparoscopy was used in 24% and omental patch was the most common procedure performed (78%). Overall, 239 (43%) received empiric AF. There was a large variation in the use of empiric AF among participating centers, ranging from 25% to 68%. The overall incidence of OSI was 14% (77/554) and was similar for patients who did or did not receive empiric AF. The adjusted OR for development of OSI for patients who received empiric AF was 1.04 (95% CI 0.64 to 1.70), adjusted p=0.86. The overall incidence of OSI with growth of Candida spp was 5% and was similar for both groups (adjusted OR 1.29, 95% CI 0.59 to 2.84, adjusted p=0.53).ConclusionFor patients undergoing surgery for PPU, the use of empiric AF did not yield any significant clinical advantage in preventing OSI, even those due to Candida spp. Use of empiric AF in this setting is unnecessary.Study typeOriginal article, case series.Level of evidenceIII.

Chlorhexidine–Alcohol Versus Povidone–Iodine for Surgical-Site Antisepsis

This chapter summarizes the landmark trial that examined, in patients undergoing clean-contaminated surgery, how chlorhexidine–alcohol scrub compared to povidone–iodine scrub and paint in terms of infection rates. The trial included patients who were undergoing colorectal, small intestinal, gastroesophageal, biliary, thoracic, gynecologic, or urologic operations without substantial spillage or unusual contamination. Chlorhexidine reduced the rate of any surgical infection as well as that of superficial incisional infection, but no difference was observed for deep incisional infections, organ space infection, and sepsis from surgical-site infection.

Organ/space infection is a common cause of high output stoma and outlet obstruction in diverting ileostomy

Aim: The objectives of this study are to identify causes of high-output stoma (HOS) and outlet obstruction (OO), which are major complications of diverting ileostomy. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed in 103 patients who underwent colorectal surgery and diverting ileostomy between December 2015 and November 2018. Results: HOS was found in 32 patients (31.1%) and OO in 19 (18.4%). Organ/space surgical site infection (SSI), anastomotic leakage and OO were significant HOS-related factors in univariate analysis, and OO (odds ratio [OR] 3.39, p=0.034) was a independent HOS-related factor in multivariate analysis. Organ/space SSI and male were significant OO-related factors in univariate analysis, and organ/space SSI (OR 3.77, p=0.018) was a independent OO-related factor in multivariate analysis. The white blood cell (WBC) count on postoperative day (POD) 3 was significantly higher in the HOS group compared to the non-HOS group (9765 vs. 8130 /mL, p<0.05), and the WBC count (9400 vs. 7475 /mL, p<0.05) and C-reactive protein level (6.01 vs. 2.92 mg/L, p<0.05) on POD 6 were significantly higher in the OO group compared to the non-OO group.Conclusion: Organ/space infection is involved in the common pathology of HOS and OO. Decreased intestinal absorption due to intestinal edema caused by organ/space SSI and relative stenosis at the abdominal wall-penetrating site are major causes of HOS and OO.

Organ/space infection is a common cause of high output stoma and outlet obstruction

Aim: The objectives of this study are to identify causes of high-output stoma (HOS) and outlet obstruction (OO), which are major complications of diverting ileostomy. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed in 103 patients who underwent colorectal surgery and diverting ileostomy between December 2015 and November 2018. Results: HOS was found in 32 patients (31.1%) and OO in 19 (18.4%). Organ/space surgical site infection (SSI), anastomotic leakage and OO were independent HOS-related factors in univariate analysis, and OO (odds ratio [OR] 3.82, p=0.022) was a independent HOS-related factor in multivariate analysis. Organ/space SSI and HOS were independent OO-related factors in univariate analysis, and organ/space SSI (OR 3.69, p=0.02) was a independent OO-related factor in multivariate analysis. The white blood cell (WBC) count on postoperative day (POD) 3 was significantly higher in the HOS group compared to the non-HOS group (9765 vs. 8130 /mL, p<0.05), and the WBC count (9400 vs. 7475 /mL, p<0.05) and C-reactive protein level (6.01 vs. 2.92 mg/L, p<0.05) on POD 6 were significantly higher in the OO group compared to the non-OO group. Conclusion: Organ/space infection is involved in the common pathology of HOS and OO. Decreased intestinal absorption due to intestinal edema caused by organ/space SSI and relative stenosis at the abdominal wall-penetrating site are major causes of HOS and OO

Incidence of surgical site infection in dogs undergoing soft tissue surgery: risk factors and economic impact

ObjectivesTo determine (1) the incidence of surgical site infection (SSI) in patients undergoing soft tissue surgery at a veterinary teaching hospital and to study (2) and describe the main risk factors associated with SSI and (3) assess the economic impact of SSI.DesignProspective cohort study.SettingVeterinary teaching hospital.Participants184 dogs undergoing soft tissue surgery during a 12-month period (October 2013 to September 2014).Primary outcome measureSurgical site infection.ResultsOut of the 184 patients analysed, SSI was diagnosed in 16 (8.7 per cent) patients, 13 (81.3 per cent) were classified as superficial incisional infection, 2 (12.5 per cent) as deep incisional infection and 1 (6.3 per cent) as organ/space infection. The administration of steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (P=0.028), preoperative hyperglycaemia (P=0.015), surgical times longer than 60 minutes (P=0.013), urinary catheterisation (P=0.037) and wrong use of the Elizabethan collar (P=0.025) were identified as risk factors. Total costs increased 74.4 per cent, with an increase in postsurgical costs of 142.2 per cent.ConclusionsThe incidence of SSI was higher than the incidence reported in other published studies, although they were within expected ranges when a surveillance system was implemented. This incidence correlated with an increase in costs. Additionally new important risk factors for its development were detected.