Impact of Antibiotic Prophylaxis on Infection Rate after Endoscopic Ultrasound Through-the-Needle Biopsy of Pancreatic Cysts: A Propensity Score-Matched Study

Background: Despite weak evidence, antibiotic prophylaxis prior to endoscopic ultrasound-guided through-the-needle biopsy (EUS-TTNB) of pancreatic cystic lesions (PCLs) is routinely used in clinical practice. We aim to compare a group of patients treated with antibiotics before EUS-TTNB of PCLs and a group who did not undergo antimicrobial prophylaxis. Methods: Out of 236 patients with pancreatic cystic lesions referred to two high-volume centers between 2016 and 2021, after propensity score matching, two groups were compared: 98 subjects who underwent EUS-TTNB under antibiotic prophylaxis and 49 subjects without prophylaxis. Results: There was no difference in terms of baseline parameters between groups. Final diagnosis was serous cystadenoma in 36.7% of patients in the group not treated with prophylaxis and in 37.7% of patients in the control group, whereas IPMN and mucinous cystadenoma were diagnosed in 3 (6.1%) and 16 (32.6%) versus 6 (6.1%) and 32 (32.6%) patients in the two groups, respectively (p = 0.23). Overall, the adverse event rate was 6.1% in the group not treated with antibiotic prophylaxis and 5.1% in the control group (p = 0.49). Only a single infectious adverse event occurred in each group (p = 0.48). The diagnostic yields were 89.7% and 90.8% in the two groups (p = 0.7), and the diagnostic accuracy rate was 81.6% in both groups (p = 1.0). Conclusions: Prophylactic antibiotics do not seem to influence the risk of infection, and their routine use should be discouraged.

Evaluation of Antibiotic Prophylaxis Regimens in Gynecological Surgeries in a Referral Teaching Hospital: A Cross Sectional Study

Background: Drug utilization Evaluation is the main tool to assess the clinical and economic effects of drug on health-care system. The aim of the current study is to evaluate the regimens of antibiotic prophylaxis in common gynecological surgeries in a referral teaching hospital Methods: This cross-sectional study was done in Alzahra hospital, Tabriz, Iran, from July 2017 to December 2017. Patients who received antibiotics as surgical site infection prophylaxis were enrolled. Data were collected from patients’ medical records and adherence rate to the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) guideline was studied as the primary endpoint. Results: A total of 210 patients who undergoes common gynecological surgeries were evaluated. Cesarean section (58.6%) and total abdominal hysterectomy (28.1%) were the majority of surgeries. The type of administered antibiotic was adherent to guideline in 71.4%. Doses and duration of prescribed antibiotic (Cefazolin, the most prescribed antibiotic) were not in accordance with the guideline in 100%. Only in 58%, the time of antibiotic administration was corrected. Conclusion: In this study, the misuse of antibiotics in most cases was documented in terms of type, dose and duration of drug administration in Al-Zahra Hospital. It seems necessary to publish evidence-based guidelines and monitor their proper implementation, not only to reduce costs but also to combat antibiotic resistance.

A National Survey of Endophthalmitis Prophylaxis during Cataract Surgery in Pakistan: A 2020 Perspective

Purpose: To assess national endophthalmitis prophylaxis practice patterns during phacoemulsification surgery in Pakistan. Study Design: Cross sectional survey. Place and Duration of Study: Eye units registered with the British Pakistani Ophthalmic Society (BPOS) between September and November 2020. Methods: A survey-based cross sectional study was conducted in Pakistan between September and November 2020. A proforma was designed using a survey client (Survey Monkey) and distributed to the eye units registered with the British Pakistani Ophthalmic Society (BPOS). The survey explored demographic factors, current antibiotic prophylaxis practice during cataract surgery and audit practice in Pakistan. Results: A total of 339 respondents completed the survey. The survey was representative of ophthalmic surgeons working in the major provinces of Pakistan. A small majority of ophthalmic surgeons provided some form of routine antibiotic prophylaxis (n = 140, 53.8%). Povidone iodine 5% (PVP-I) solution on skin and in the conjunctival sac proved the most popular protocol (n = 163, 66.3%). This was followed by immediate postoperative topical antibiotics (n = 101, 41.1%). Intracameral antibiotic prophylaxis accounted for less than half of current antibiotic practice during cataract surgery in Pakistan (n=99, 40.3%). Most of the respondents did not conduct any audit regarding endophthalmitis (n = 119, 55.6%). Conclusion: Our survey provides an up-to-date view on the state of antibiotic prophylaxis during cataract surgery in Pakistan and highlights several areas for improvement. This includes policy changes to increase adherence to gold standard antibiotic prophylaxis guidelines, improvement in transparency of surgical outcomes and to audit current postoperative outcomes. Key Words: Acute postoperative endophthalmitis, Surgical wound infection, Antibiotic, Cataract, Pakistan.