Surgical infections
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Surgical infections · Apr 2008
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyEffect of body mass index and ertapenem versus cefotetan prophylaxis on surgical site infection in elective colorectal surgery.
The effectiveness of prophylactic antibiotics in the prevention of surgical site infection (SSI) after elective colorectal surgery is dependent on many factors, including the body mass index (BMI) of the patient. In this study, the association of BMI and type of antibiotic prophylaxis with SSI was evaluated in patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery. ⋯ In patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery, the incidence of SSI, specifically superficial incisional SSI, was higher in patients with a BMI > or = 30 kg/m2, regardless of the prophylactic antibiotic given. Ertapenem prophylaxis was more effective than cefotetan in the prevention of SSI at any BMI.
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Surgical infections · Apr 2008
Higher body mass index predicts need for insulin but not hyperglycemia, nosocomial infection, or death in critically ill surgical patients.
Strict glycemic control in critically ill patients has been an important advance in surgical critical care, as hyperglycemia is associated with a higher likelihood of death, complications, and nosocomial infections. Insulin resistance is particularly common in obese patients, but the impact of body mass index (BMI) on insulin requirements, ability to achieve euglycemia, and infectious outcomes in critically ill surgical patients has not been studied. We hypothesized that obese patients would not incur a higher likelihood of infection if euglycemia was maintained. ⋯ Increasing BMI was associated significantly with insulin resistance. Despite insulin resistance, however, obese patients did not incur longer periods of hyperglycemia. Outcomes that have been associated consistently with glycemic control, such as nosocomial infection and mortality rate, did not differ according to BMI. These data suggest that BMI is not associated with infection during critical illness, and that this absence of an association may be influenced at least partially by the ability to maintain similar glycemic control in obese and non-obese patients.
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Surgical infections · Apr 2008
Blood stream infections of abdominal origin in the intensive care unit: characteristics and determinants of death.
Blood stream infections (BSI) of abdominal origin are associated with a high mortality rate. We hypothesized that both patient and microbiological factors determine death in critically ill patients who develop such infections. ⋯ The mortality rate of ICU patients who develop BSI of intra-abdominal origin is high. Gram-negative micro-organisms were isolated most frequently, and 41% of all organisms were antibiotic-resistant. Two patient-related factors (greater age and the development of acute renal failure) were associated independently with a higher mortality rate.
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Surgical infections · Apr 2008
Pseudomonas aeruginosa susceptible only to colistin in intensive care unit patients.
Gram-negative bacilli, including multi-drug-resistant (MDR) Pseudomonas aeruginosa, are responsible for severe intensive care unit (ICU)-acquired infections, mainly pneumonia and bacteremia. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of MDR strains of Pseudomonas in patients undergoing cardiac surgery, to elucidate the effectiveness of treating these patients with colistin, and to assess the safety of the drug. ⋯ The increasing prevalence of MDR P. aeruginosa in ICU patients has rekindled interest in polymyxins, which had been abandoned because of toxic side effects. Colistin retained significant in vitro activity against this virulent organism, had an acceptable safety profile, and should be considered as a treatment option in critically ill patients with infection caused by MDR gram-negative bacilli. Aerosolized colistin may merit further consideration as a therapeutic intervention for patients with refractory pulmonary infections.