Diagnostic Value of Procalcitonin and Interleukin-6 on Early Postoperative Pneumonia after Adult Cardiac Surgery: A Prospective Observational Study

Background: Postoperative pneumonia (PP) is the most common primary infection after cardiac surgery, increasing the hospitalization expense and causing the consumption of healthcare resources. This study aimed to investigate the diagnostic value of procalcitonin (PCT) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) on early postoperative pneumonia after adult cardiac surgery. Methods: In this prospective observational study, patients with pneumonia and age- and sex-matched cases in our center from October 10, 2020 to January 31, 2021 were included. Patients diagnosed with pneumonia in this study needed meet both clinical and microbiological diagnostic criteria. Blood samples were collected in all patients from postoperative day (POD) 1 to postoperative day 5 to detect PCT, IL-6, white blood cell count, and C-reactive protein. The diagnostic performance of different biomarkers was evaluated by the receiver operating characteristic curves and the area under the curves. Results: Our study enrolled 272 patients, including 24 patients with postoperative pneumonia and 248 age- and sex-matched cases. From POD1 to POD5, the absolute value of PCT and PCT variations showed diagnostic significance for pneumonia (P < .05); the diagnostic value of the absolute value of IL-6 and IL-6 variations was not satisfying. White blood cell count showed no differences; C-reactive protein had no diagnostic value before POD4. Multivariable logistic regression showed that PCT variation and IL-6 variation from POD3 to POD1 were the strongest risk factors for postoperative pneumonia [OR:12.50, 95% CI: (3.40-45.5); OR:13.71, 95% CI: (1.11-168.47)]. According to the above results, we defined the PL Index. PL Index showed the best diagnostic value among those biomarkers in POD3 [AUC: 0.90, 95% CI: (0.79-0.95)]. Multivariable logistic regression showed PL Index POD3 has significant correlation with postoperative pneumonia [OR:1.23, 95% CI: (1.11-1.37), P = .041]. Conclusions: PCT variation and IL-6 were more accurate than C-reactive protein and white blood cell count to predict early postoperative pneumonia, but the diagnostic properties of PCT could not be observed during the first three postoperative days due to the inflammatory process. By combining the variations of PCT and IL-6, we defined the PL Index, which shows the best diagnostic ability on early postoperative pneumonia after adult cardiac surgery.

Postoperative care in ICU versus non-ICU after head and neck free-flap surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis

ObjectiveAdmission to the intensive care unit (ICU) has long been considered as routine by most head and neck surgeons after microvascular free-flap transfer. This study aimed to answer the question ‘Is there a difference in the flap survival and postoperative complications rates between admission to intensive care unit (ICU) versus Non-ICU following microvascular head and neck reconstructive surgery?’.DesignSystematic review, and meta-analysis.MethodsThe PubMed, Embase, Scopus and Cochrane Library electronic databases were systematically searched (till April 2021) to identify the relevant studies. Studies that compared postoperative nursing of patients who underwent microvascular head and neck reconstructive surgery in ICU and non-ICU were included. The outcome variables were flap failure and length of hospital stay (LOS) and other complications. Weighted OR or mean differences with 95% CIs were calculated.ResultsEight studies involving a total of 2349 patients were included. No statistically significant differences were observed between ICU and non-ICU admitted patients regarding flap survival reported (fixed, risk ratio, 1.46; 95% CI 0.80 to 2.69, p=0.231, I2=0%), reoperation, readmission, respiratory failure, delirium and mortality (p>0.05). A significant increase in the postoperative pneumonia (p=0.018) and sepsis (p=0.033) was observed in patients admitted to ICU compared with non-ICU setting.ConclusionThis meta-analysis showed that an immediate postoperative nursing in the ICU after head and neck microvascular reconstructive surgery did not reduce the incidence of flap failure or complications rate. Limiting the routine ICU admission to the carefully selected patients may result in a reduction in the incidence of postoperative pneumonia, sepsis, LOS and total hospital charge.

An External-Validated Algorithm to Predict Postoperative Pneumonia Among Elderly Patients With Lung Cancer After Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery

The aim of the study was to develop an algorithm to predict postoperative pneumonia among elderly patients with lung cancer after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. We analyzed 3,009 patients from the Thoracic Perioperative Database for Geriatrics in our hospital and finally enrolled 1,585 elderly patients (age≧65 years) with lung cancer treated with video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. The included patients were randomly divided into a training group (n = 793) and a validation group (n = 792). Patients in the training group were used to develop the algorithm after screening up to 30 potential risk factors, and patients in the validation group were used to internally validate the algorithm. External validation of the algorithm was achieved in the external validation dataset after enrolling 165 elderly patients with lung cancer treated with video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery from two hospitals in China. Of all included patients, 9.15% (145/1,585) of patients suffered from postoperative pneumonia in the Thoracic Perioperative Database for Geriatrics, and 10.30% (17/165) of patients had postoperative pneumonia in the external validation dataset. The algorithm consisted of seven variables, including sex, smoking, history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), surgery duration, leukocyte count, intraoperative injection of colloid, and intraoperative injection of hormone. The C-index from the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) was 0.70 in the training group, 0.67 in the internal validation group, and 0.71 in the external validation dataset, and the corresponding calibration slopes were 0.88 (95% confident interval [CI]: 0.37–1.39), 0.90 (95% CI: 0.46–1.34), and 1.03 (95% CI: 0.24–1.83), respectively. The actual probabilities of postoperative pneumonia were 5.14% (53/1031) in the low-risk group, 15.07% (71/471) in the medium-risk group, and 25.30% (21/83) in the high-risk group (p &lt; 0.001). The algorithm can be a useful prognostic tool to predict the risk of developing postoperative pneumonia among elderly patients with lung cancer after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery.

Incidence And Risk Factors For Postoperative Pneumonia Following Surgically Treated Hip Fracture In Geriatric Patients: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Objective: Large sample investigations for risk factors for pneumonia in elderly patients after hip fracture surgeries are lacking. The purpose of this study is to determine the incidence and risk factors for postoperative pneumonia in geriatric patients following hip fracture operations.Methods: A retrospective study of incidence and risk factors in a tertiary referral center between 2016 and 2020 was conducted. Geriatric patients who developed postoperative pneumonia after surgeries of hip fracture during hospitalization stay were defined as cases and those without as controls. Multivariate logistic regression model was used to evaluate risk factors for postoperative pneumonia.Results: This study included 3147 patients, and 182 developed postoperative pneumonia, denoting the rate of 5.7%. In the multivariate analyses, age (OR, 1.04; 95% CI, 1.02–1.06), sex (males) (OR, 2.27; 95% CI, 1.64-3.13), respiratory disease (OR, 3.74; 95% CI, 2.32–6.04), heart disease (OR, 1.68; 95% CI, 1.14–2.47), cerebrovascular disease (OR, 1.58; 95% CI, 1.11–2.27), liver disease (OR, 2.61; 95% CI, 1.33–5.15), preoperative stay (OR, 1.08; 95% CI, 1.05–1.11) and general anesthesia (OR, 1.61; 95% CI, 1.15-2.27) were identified as independent risk factors for postoperative pneumonia.Conclusions: This study identified several risk factors for pneumonia in geriatric patients after hip fracture operations, providing a viable preventive strategy for optimizing clinical conditions for reductionof postoperative pneumonia.

Spirometric lung age for predicting the risk of pulmonary complications after thoracic surgeries

Annotation. Surgical interventions for diseases of the thoracic cavity are one of the most invasive surgical procedures, which are often accompanied by postoperative complications, which increase mortality, prolong hospital stays, require additional costs and correlate with poor long-term survival. However, respiratory complications remain the most common of non-surgical complications and their frequency varies from 13 to 38%. So far, several studies have shown that respiratory dysfunction is an independent risk factor for postoperative pneumonia. The aim – investigate whether it is possible to use spirometric lung age to predict the occurrence of postoperative pneumonia after thoracic surgeries. The study was performed on 192 patients with diseases of the thoracic cavity (esophagus, lungs, mediastinum), underwent surgery in the thoracoabdominal department of the Shalimov’s National Institute of Surgery and Transplantation. Statistical software EZR v.1.54 was used for statistical calculations (graphical user interface for statistical software R version 4.0.3, R Foundation for Statistical Computing, Vienna, Austria). We found a very strong association between the risk of developing pulmonary complications and the age of the lungs, AUC=0.97 (95% confidence interval from 0.94 to 0.99). When choosing the optimal point for predicting the risk of pulmonary complications obtained: Lung age critical = 99.6 years. Thus, at Lung age >99.6 years, the development of postoperative pulmonary complications is predicted. At Lung age <99.6 years, the absence of postoperative pulmonary complications is predicted. When choosing this decision point, the sensitivity is 93.5% (82.1-98.6%), specificity – 95.9% (91.3-98.5%). Therefore, spirometric age of the lungs was associated with the incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications in patients undergoing surgery for thoracic disease. This parameter deserves attention as a predictor of the probability of developing postoperative pneumonia after thoracic surgeries and can help in assessing the state of respiratory function of patients.

Respiratory Rehabilitation Does not Prevent Post-Pperative Pulmonary Complications, Morbidity and Mortality After Esophagectomy.- A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Aim: The analysis aimed to study the effect of preoperative pulmonary rehabilitation on post-operative pulmonary complications, overall morbidity, and mortality after esophagectomy.Methods: The study was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement (2020) and MOOSE guidelines. The meta-analysis was done using Review Manager 5.4. We compared postoperative pneumonia, postoperative pulmonary complications, morbidity, and mortality between the preoperative respiratory group vs. no prehabilitation group. Heterogeneity was evaluated using the I2 test. The random-effect model was used with I2 was more than 25% otherwise fixed-effect model was used. I2 less than 25%, 25-50%, and more than 50% were taken as low, moderate, or high heterogeneity.Results: Seven studies consisting of. 606 patients were included in the analysis. 322 patients in the respiratory prehabilitation group and 284 in the control group. There was no statistically significant difference in postoperative pneumonia (p=0.11), post-operative pulmonary complications (p= 0.09), All cause morbidity and mortality. (p=0.98, and 0.30 respectively). However, heterogeneity was moderate to high in most analyses.Conclusion: There is no conclusive evidence as of now regarding the benefits of preoperative pulmonary rehabilitation in esophagectomy. However, further studies are needed to confirm it.

Hyperventilation of the lungs as a preventive measure against pneumonia

Based on the works of Corullos and Birnbaum, Scott and Cutler that postoperative pneumonia develops in atelectasized areas of the lungs, Henderson (A. M. A. 1929, 9 II) recommends inhalation of carbon dioxide in oxygen (5,0-100,0), as the most effective means of preventing pneumonia both in postoperative cases and in asphyxia and infectious diseases. As a result of anesthesia, breathing becomes shallow, the sections of the lungs are not ventilated and atelectasis appears, and the infection of these sections easily causes pneumonia; stretching these unventilated collapsed areas by deep breathing as a result of inhalation of carbon dioxide prevents atelectasis and prevents the development of pneumonia.

Usefulness of wearable fitness tracking devices in patients undergoing esophagectomy

Background Esophageal cancer surgery requires maintenance and enhancement of perioperative nutritional status and physical function to prevent postoperative complications. Therefore, awareness of the importance of preoperative patient support is increasing. This study examined the usefulness of using a diary in combination with a wearable fitness tracking device (WFT) in patients undergoing surgery for esophageal cancer. Methods Ninety-four patients who underwent esophagectomy between February 2019 and April 2021 were included. Physicians, nurses, dietitians, and physical therapists provided diary-based education for the patients. In addition, a WFT was used by some patients. The perioperative outcomes of patients who used both the diary and WFT (WFT group) and those who used the diary alone (non-WFT group) were compared. In addition, propensity score matching was performed to improve comparability between the two groups. Results After the propensity score matching, the rate of postoperative pneumonia was significantly lower in the WFT group (0% vs. 22.6%, P = 0.005). The postoperative hospital stay was shorter in the WFT group (P = 0.012). Nutritional status indices, such as the prognostic nutritional index, also improved significantly in the WFT group at 1 month after surgery (P = 0.034). The rate of diary entries was significantly higher in the WFT group (72.3% vs. 28.3%, P < 0.001). Conclusion The use of a WFT reduced the incidence of postoperative pneumonia and improved postoperative nutritional status and rates of diary entries after esophagectomy, suggesting that its use may be useful for promoting recovery after esophagectomy.