Abdominal Wound Problem after Hysterectomy using Scalpel Versus Electrocautery for Skin and Subcutaneous Dissection

Objective: To evaluate the postoperative abdominal wound problem after hysterectomy with scalpel versus electrocautery for skin and subcutaneous dissection. Material and Methods: A total of 516 post-menopausal women having age 40 to 65 years who were planned for elective hysterectomy were included in this study. Patients having only benign disorders were included. In group E (N=258); Skin incision and tissue dissection was done using electrocautery by setting the electrocautery machine at cutting mode at 30 to 50 watts’ power. In group S (N=258); conventional scalpel was used for skin incision. Scalpel number 23 was used for skin and subcutaneous tissue dissection. Post-operative wound complications such as seroma, hematoma, wound dehiscence and wound infections were primary study endpoints. Results: Mean age was 48.6±6.9 years in electrocautery and 49.2±6.3 years in scalpel group (p-value 0.30). Seroma formation was diagnosed in 98 (37.98%) patients in electrocautery group and in 52 (20.1%) patients in scalpel group (p-value <0.0001). Wound infections were diagnosed in 50 (19.3%) patients in electrocautery group versus in 87 (33.7%) patients in scalpel group (p-value 0.0002). Hematoma was diagnosed in 10 (3.87%) patients in electrocautery group and in 19 (7.4%) in scalpel group (p-value 0.08). Conclusion: The use of electrocautery is associated with lower rate of post-operative wound infections and hematoma formation. The present study advocates the use of electrocautery for skin and subcutaneous tissue dissection in patients undergoing abdominal hysterectomy. Keywords: Abdominal hysterectomy, electrocautery, scalpel, wound complications.

Major Burn Injury Successfully Treated with Cultured Epithelial Autografts, a Case Series Presentation: Establishing Standard Clinical Practices

Cultured epithelial autografts have been an option for coverage of large surface area burns for over two decades. However, there remains extreme variability in clinical practice in wound bed preparation, application of cultured epithelial autografts, and post-operative wound care and rehabilitation practices, demonstrating the need for a standardized and multidisciplinary approach in the treatment of critically injured patients treated with cultured epithelial autografts. The purpose of this case series was to share the development of a clinical practice guideline and competency checklist in our institution where cultured epithelial autograft case volume is low. In this case series, we examined the medical records of three patients treated with cultured epithelial autografts at a single burn center over a period from 2015-2018. Operating room times and fluid resuscitation volumes were examined on days when cultured epithelial autograft grafting was performed. In order to facilitate meticulous post-operative wound care in a facility where only 1-2 cultured epithelial autograft applications are performed per year, a clinical practice guideline and competency checklist were generated and trialed on a series of nurses and rehabilitation therapists for the three applications of cultured epithelial autografts. Amongst the patients treated with cultured epithelial autografts, the average TBSA burned was 71.6%. Less intra-operative crystalloid administration and faster operative case times were associated with improved cultured epithelial autograft success. The inclusion of the clinical practice guideline and checklist into our practice led to reported improved confidence in patient care, along with the successful outcomes of these cultured epithelial autograft applications.

The Role of Intra-Operative Wound Irrigation with Normal Saline in Reduction of Surgical Site Infection in Gynecological Surgeries

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of intra-operative wound irrigation with normal saline in reducing surgical site infections in gynaecological surgeries. Methods: It is a prospective cohort study carried out at Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department, Pak-Emirates Military Hospital, Rawalpindi from 1st November 2019 to 30th April 2020. A total of 400 patients undergoing abdominal surgery for gynecological reasons were recruited by consecutive non-probability technique. Patients with known comorbidities were excluded. Participants of study were allocated cohort and control groups at the end of the surgery after closing the abdominal fascia. In cohort group, the subcutaneous soft tissue was irrigated with 1000 ml of Normal saline solution before skin closure and sterile dressing. No intra-operative wound irrigation was performed in the control group. The primary and secondary endpoint measures (SSI up to 10th Post-Operative day) and (SSI up to 30th Post-Operative day) respectively, were assessed clinically. Results: The study included 400 patients, with 200 in the cohort group and 200 in the control group with Mean Age of (Mean ± SD) 33.6±8.1 years. Majority of the patients had Pre-Op Hemoglobin of >11 g/dl (216)54%. Most common surgeries were Caesarean section (324)81% and Hysterectomy (40)10%. Maximum surgeries were performed between 30-30 min (312)78% with mean hospital stay of (Mean ± SD) 2.9±0.5 days. Analysis of the results showed that Intra-operative wound irrigation with normal saline significantly lesser rate of postoperative SSIs in comparison to no irrigation at both primary outcome measure that was SSI at 10th Post-operative day (POD)(RR=0.417, 95 % CI [0.15;1.161]) and secondary outcome measure that was SSI at 30th POD(RR=0.286, 95 % CI [0.060;1.359]). Conclusion: Intra-operative wound irrigation with Normal Saline decreases the risk of SSI by 58.3% (AR) at 10thPOD and by 71.4% (AR) at 30th POD in otherwise healthy women with no comorbidities.

Correction to: Prevention of spinal fusion post-operative wound infections in pediatric patients with scoliosis: a quality improvement initiative

The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake.