Surgical infections
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Nosocomial infections are the most frequent complications of surgical patients. Most surgical site infections (SSI) are acquired intraoperatively and arise from the flora of the patient's skin, gastrointestinal tract, or mucous membranes. Although preoperative mechanical cleansing of the bowel is considered by many surgeons a cornerstone of modern elective colorectal surgery and, in association with antibiotic prophylaxis, a fundamental component of an intestinal antisepsis program, many surgeons do not perform preoperative mechanical preparation routinely. ⋯ The dogma that mechanical bowel preparation is necessary before elective colorectal surgery may need to be reconsidered. On the other hand, such preparation decreases operating time by improving bowel handling during construction of the anastomosis. Moreover, it is helpful when intestinal palpation will be necessary for identification of a lesion.
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Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is the most frequent intensive care unit (ICU)-acquired infection among patients receiving mechanical ventilation. Failure to initiate appropriate and adequate therapy (i.e., the etiologic organism is sensitive to the therapeutic agent, the dose is optimal, and the route of administration is correct) promptly in patients with VAP has been associated consistently with higher mortality rates. However, effective antimicrobial therapy for patients with true VAP can be achieved while avoiding excessive antibiotic use and the emergence of multidrug-resistant strains in the ICU. ⋯ Although such a strategy seems a logical way to manage patients with VAP, data are still needed to determine how best to achieve this process.
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Surgical infections · Jan 2006
ReviewRecommendations and reports about central venous catheter-related infection.
Central venous catheters (CVCs) are used to deliver a variety of therapies, as well as for measurement of hemodynamic parameters. The major associated complication is catheter-related blood stream infection (CRBSI). ⋯ Central venous catheters are used commonly to deliver a variety of therapies, such as large amounts of fluid or blood products during surgery or in intensive care units, chemotherapy, and parenteral nutrition, as well as for measurement of hemodynamic variables. The major complication associated with CVCs is CRBSI.
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Yeasts and molds now rank among the most common pathogens in intensive care units. Whereas the incidence of Candida infections peaked in the late 1970s, aspergillosis is still increasing. ⋯ The incidence of invasive fungal infection is increasing, but so too are the choices of agents for therapy. For reasons of efficacy and safety, therapy with an echinocandin or azole antifungal agent is supplanting the use of polyenes.
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A substantial proportion of patients become colonized with Candida spp. after surgery, but only a minority subsequently develop invasive candidiasis. However, clinical signs of severe infection manifest only late, presenting a challenge for diagnosis. Better knowledge of the pathogenesis of candidiasis and new compounds have improved the prognosis but also encouraged the emergence of non-albicans strains of Candida. ⋯ After surgery, empiric treatment must be restricted to patients in whom the dynamics of Candida colonization predict a very high risk of invasive candidiasis. Prophylaxis should be limited to the small group of patients in whom its efficacy is proven.