Population-based cohort study of variation in the use of emergency cholecystectomy for benign gallbladder diseases

Background

The aims of this prospective population-based cohort study were to identify the patient and hospital characteristics associated with emergency cholecystectomy, and the influences of these in determining variations between hospitals.

Methods

Data were collected for consecutive patients undergoing cholecystectomy in acute UK and Irish hospitals between 1 March and 1 May 2014. Potential explanatory variables influencing the performance of emergency cholecystectomy were analysed by means of multilevel, multivariable logistic regression modelling using a two-level hierarchical structure with patients (level 1) nested within hospitals (level 2).

Results

Data were collected on 4744 cholecystectomies from 165 hospitals. Increasing age, lower ASA fitness grade, biliary colic, the need for further imaging (magnetic retrograde cholangiopancreatography), endoscopic interventions (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography) and admission to a non-biliary centre significantly reduced the likelihood of an emergency cholecystectomy being performed. The multilevel model was used to calculate the probability of receiving an emergency cholecystectomy for a woman aged 40 years or over with an ASA grade of I or II and a BMI of at least 25·0 kg/m2, who presented with acute cholecystitis with an ultrasound scan showing a thick-walled gallbladder and a normal common bile duct. The mean predicted probability of receiving an emergency cholecystectomy was 0·52 (95 per cent c.i. 0·45 to 0·57). The predicted probabilities ranged from 0·02 to 0·95 across the 165 hospitals, demonstrating significant variation between hospitals.

Conclusion

Patients with similar characteristics presenting to different hospitals with acute gallbladder pathology do not receive comparable care.

A prospective study of wound infection among post-discharge patients at a level 1 trauma centre of India

BACKGROUND AND AIM

To study the rate of wound infections in the post-discharged patient population and to assess the usefulness of post-discharge surveillance.

METHODS

A prospective surveillance of all the post-discharged trauma patients was done during a period of 6 months. Discharge instructions were given to all the patients regarding identification of the signs and symptoms of wound infections. They were telephonically followed up after a week to enquire about the wound condition and followed up in the outpatient department (OPD). Microbiology culture samples of those showing any signs and symptoms of infections were sent and their antimicrobial therapy, any change in the treatment schedule and the length of their hospital stay were noted. Factors such as wound class, type of surgeries and readmissions were noted.

RESULTS

A total of 281 postdischarge patients were enrolled, of which 101 were completely followed up for wound infections. Males were predominant (89%). Of the 101 patients, 42 (41.6%) patients wound showed infection during the intense follow-up in the OPD. However, 59 patients (59/101, 58.4%) showed wound swab culture positivity before discharge. These 42 patients developed signs and symptoms of infection post-discharge; 23 (22.7%) of them had change of antibiotic therapy during the follow-up period due to culture positivity. Acinetobacter sp., Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae were the predominant organisms isolated in the study. A total of 45 patients (44.5%) had to be readmitted due to wound site infections.

CONCLUSIONS

Wound infections are common after discharge among trauma patients highlighting the importance of active surveillance and participation of patients.

Single versus double blade technique for skin incision and deep dissection in surgery for closed fracture: a prospective randomised control study

PURPOSE

To compare blade cultures in surgery for closed fracture using a single or double blade technique to determine whether the current practice of double blade technique is justified.

METHODS

155 men and 29 women aged 20 to 60 (mean, 35) years who underwent surgery for closed fracture with healthy skin at the incision site were included. Patients were block randomised to the single (n=92) or double (n=92) blade technique. Blades were sent for bacteriological analysis. Outcome measures were early surgical site infection (SSI) within 30 days and cultures from the blades.

RESULTS

The 2 groups were comparable in baseline characteristics. In the single blade group, 6 surgical blades and 2 control blades showed positive cultures; 4 patients developed SSI, but only one had a positive culture from the surgical blade (with different organism isolated from the wound culture). In the double blade group, 6 skin blades, 7 deep blades, and 0 control blade showed positive culture; only 2 patients had the same bacteria grown from both skin and deep blade. Five patients developed SSI, but only one patient had a positive culture from the deep blade (with different organism isolated from the wound culture). The difference in incidence of culture-positive blade or SSI between the 2 groups was not significant. The relative risk of SSI in the single blade group was 0.8. Positive blade culture was not associated with SSI in the single or double blade group.

CONCLUSION

The practice of changing blade following skin incision has no effect on reducing early SSI in surgery for closed fracture in healthy patients with healthy skin.

Distribution of different yeasts isolates among trauma patients and comparison of accuracy in identification of yeasts by automated method versus conventional methods for better use in low resource countries

INTRODUCTION

As most trauma patients require long-term hospital stay and long-term antibiotic therapy, the risk of fungal infections in such patients is steadily increasing. Early diagnosis and rapid treatment is life saving in such critically ill trauma patients.

AIMS

To see the distribution of various species of Candida among trauma patients and compare the accuracy, rapid identification and cost effectiveness between VITEK 2, CHROMagar and conventional methods.

SETTINGS AND DESIGN

Retrospective laboratory-based surveillance study performed over a period of 52 months (January 2009 to April 2013) at a level I trauma centre in New Delhi, India.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

All microbiological samples positive for Candida were processed for microbial identification using standard methods. Identification of Candida was done using chromogenic medium and by automated VITEK 2 Compact system and later confirmed using the conventional method. Time to identification in both was noted and accuracy compared with conventional method.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

Performed using the SPSS software for Windows (SPSS Inc. Chicago, IL, version 15.0). P values calculated using χ2 test for categorical variables. A P<0.05 was considered significant.

RESULTS

Out of 445 yeasts isolates, Candida tropicalis (217, 49%) was the species that was maximally isolated. VITEK 2 was able to correctly identify 354 (79.5%) isolates but could not identify 48 (10.7%) isolates and wrongly identified or showed low discrimination in 43 (9.6%) isolates but CHROM agar correctly identified 381 (85.6%) isolates with 64 (14.4%) misidentification. Highest rate of misidentification was seen in C. tropicalis and C. glabrata (13, 27.1% each) by VITEK 2 and among C. albicans (9, 14%) by CHROMagar.

CONCLUSIONS

Though CHROMagar gives identification at a lower cost compared with VITEK 2 and are more accurate, which is useful in low resource countries, its main drawback is the long duration taken for complete identification.

Role of regional anesthesia for placement of peritoneal dialysis catheter under ultrasound guidance: Our experience with 52 end-stage renal disease patients

Aim:

The number of patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) has shown a consistent rise in India in recent years. Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) remains one of the safe and effective forms of treatment. In this study, we have tried to assess the effectiveness of field block technique for analgesia during catheter placement surgery until 24 h postoperatively, also, if it can obviate the need for general anesthesia in these high-risk patients.

Materials and Methods:

We studied 52 ESRD patients from 2010 to 2012 who were posted for CAPD catheterization in the Department of Urology, Care Hospital, Hyderabad, India. Under ultrasound guidance, “unilateral posterior” and “unilateral subcostal” transversus abdominis plane block anesthesia were given for the placement of CAPD catheter. Patient's intra-operative pain and post-operative pain were recorded with visual analog scores (VAS) and analyzed.

Results:

All patients in our study belonged to American Society of Anesthesiologists category 2 or 3 with multiple co-morbidities. 41 out of 52 patients required no supplemental analgesia during the procedure; 8 patients needed additional infiltration of local anesthetic during skin incisions. Three patients required supplemental analgesia and were considered as failure. A VAS of two was noted in 30 patients and 1 in 19 Patients. No Patient had significant pain 24 h post operatively. No local complication was noted in any patient.

Conclusion:

CAPD Catheterization under regional field block remains safe and effective options for ESRD patients.

Diagnosis of ventilator-associated pneumonia: comparison between ante-mortem and post-mortem cultures in trauma patients

PURPOSE

To evaluate the diagnostic utility of ante-mortem tracheal aspirates for diagnosis of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). Trauma victims represent an otherwise healthy population, who are on multiple invasive life-support devices, which predispose them to severe infections like VAP. The diagnosis of VAP is challenging, due to the difficulty in obtaining a representative sample from lungs. We studied the diagnostic utility of tracheal aspirates by comparing its results with the post-mortem lung cultures.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 106 fatal trauma patients were included in the study. Lung samples and cardiac blood were taken for culture at the time of autopsy. The results of ante-mortem and post-mortem cultures were compared.

RESULTS

Septicemia was the cause of death in 51 (48%) of the fatal cases and VAP was identified in 36 (34%) cases. A total of 96 (90.5%) cases had pathogens isolated from lung samples. In 62 (58%) cases, the same organism was isolated from ante-mortem and post-mortem respiratory samples.

CONCLUSIONS

Culture results of a properly collected tracheal aspirate should be taken into consideration along with Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC's) diagnostic criteria to maximise the diagnosis of VAP.

Waardenburg syndrome presenting with constipation since birth

BACKGROUND

Shah-Waardenburg syndrome is Waardenburg syndrome associated with Hirschsprung's disease.

CASE CHARACTERISTICS

A 10-day-old full-term male neonate of Waardenburg syndrome presented with constipation since birth along with features of small bowel obstruction.

OBSERVATION

Exploratory laparotomy revealed distended proximal jejunal and ileal loops along with microcolon; an ileostomy was performed.

OUTCOME

Postoperatively patient developed sepsis and died. Histopathology confirmed total colonic aganglionosis.

MESSAGE

Suspect familial Shah-Waardenburg syndrome in a neonate of Waardenburg syndrome presenting with constipation since birth or intestinal obstruction.

Outcomes of surgical site infections in orthopedic trauma surgeries in a tertiary care centre in India

BACKGROUND

Surgical site infections (SSIs) still cause significant morbidity and mortality despite advances in trauma care. We have studied in this paper the rate of SSIs, their outcomes in patients undergoing interventions for trauma and SSI trends in developing countries.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A 16-month study (May, 2011- August, 2012) was carried out. Patients undergoing interventions for orthopedic trauma were followed and assessed for SSIs and their outcomes and antimicrobial sensitivity patterns of the micro-organisms isolated were noted and correlated.

RESULTS

A total of 40 (4.4%) confirmed cases of SSIs were identified among 852 patients of orthopedic trauma. Based on the new CDC criteria, after ruling out cellulitis, only 24 (2.6%) were found to have SSIs. A total of 12.5% of the SSIs were detected during follow-up. Acinetobacter baumannii was the predominant organism as also Staphylococcus aureus. Outcomes observed included changes in antibiotic regime, revision surgery, readmission to hospital and deaths.

CONCLUSION

SSI is prevalent in orthopaedic trauma patients and an active surveillance program will help in early management and prevention.

A comparative study of the sensitivities of Salmonella typhimurium strains TA 98, TA 100 and TA 102 to hospital waste waters

Hospitals are a release source of many chemical compounds in their wastewaters. In the present study Salmonella typhimurium strains TA 98, TA 100 and TA 102 were analyzed for their sensitivity to hospital waste waters. The results of the study showed that hospital waste waters consists of mutagens causing frame shift mutations and base pair substitutions and amongst the three strains used in this study, TA 102 was most effective which along with TA 98 can be used for quick assessment of genotoxicity of hospital waste waters prior to its discharge. Genotoxic potential of hospital waste waters from five major hospitals located in Jaipur and Delhi was studied. Such waste waters should be treated prior to their discharge. The results of this study call for further detailed study in this area of research.

Beta-hemolytic streptococcal infections in trauma patients

PURPOSE

β-hemolytic streptococci (βHS) causes a diverse array of human infections. The molecular epidemiology of β-hemolytic streptococcal infections in trauma patients has not been studied. This study reports the molecular and clinical epidemiology of β-hemolytic streptococcal infections at a level 1 trauma centre of India.

METHODS

A total of 117 isolates of βHS were recovered from clinical samples of trauma patients. The isolates were identified to species level and subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay was done to detect exotoxin virulence genes. The M protein gene (emm gene) types of GAS strains were ascertained by sequencing.

RESULTS

Group A Streptococcus (GAS) was the most common isolate (64 %), followed by group G Streptococcus (23 %). A large proportion of GAS produced speB (99 %), smeZ (91 %), speF (95 %) and speG (87 %). smeZ was produced by 22 % of GGS. A total of 25 different emm types/subtypes were seen in GAS, with emm 11 being the most common. Resistance to tetracycline (69 %) and erythromycin (33 %) was commonly seen in GAS.

CONCLUSIONS

β-hemolytic streptococcal infections in Indian trauma patients are caused by GAS and non-GAS strains alike. A high diversity of emm types was seen in GAS isolates, with high macrolide and tetracycline resistance. SpeA was less commonly seen in Indian GAS isolates. There was no association between disease severity and exotoxin gene production.

Utilization and impact on fellowship training of non-physician advanced practice providers in intensive care units of academic medical centers: a survey of critical care program directors

BACKGROUND

Non-physician advanced practice providers (APPs) such as nurse practitioners and physician assistants are being increasingly utilized as critical care providers in the United States. The objectives of this study were to determine the utilization of APPs in the intensive care units (ICU)s of academic medical centers (AMCs) and to assess the perceptions of critical care fellowship program directors (PDs) regarding the impact of these APPs on fellowship training.

METHODS

A cross-sectional national survey questionnaire was distributed to program directors of 331 adult Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education-approved critical care fellowship training programs (internal medicine, anesthesiology and surgery) in US AMCs.

RESULTS

We received 124 (37.5%) PD responses. Of these, 81 (65%) respondents indicated that an APP was part of the care team in either the primary ICU or any ICU in which the fellow trained. The majority of respondents reported that patient care was positively affected by APPs with nearly two-thirds of PDs reporting that fellowship training was also positively impacted.

CONCLUSIONS

Our survey revealed that APPs are utilized in a large number of US AMCs with critical care training programs. Program director respondents believed that patient care and fellowship training were positively impacted by APPs.

A case of dual infection in a paediatric trauma victim of primary cutaneous aspergillosis caused by Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus terreus

Aspergillus spp. are widely distributed throughout the environment. They are opportunistic pathogens causing infection at various sites in the body such as lungs, sinuses, eyes, skin, central nervous system etc., Primary cutaneous aspergillosis is an uncommon disease entity. Primary infections usually occur at sites having disruption of the skin and usually occur in burn patients, trauma and surgical patients. A 4-year-old girl who was run over by a truck and suffered extensive de-gloving injury to bilateral lower limbs developed greenish discharge and scaly lesions around the wound margins after 50 days of hospital stay. The skin biopsy demonstrated the presence of thin septate hyphae branching at acute angles and culture demonstrated growth of Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus terreus. The child was started on voriconazole therapy for 3 weeks and the lesion healed satisfactorily. Subsequent skin biopsy culture was negative for fungi. Prompt diagnosis and management of such cases can salvage the limbs in severe trauma cases.

Mortality due to septicemia at a level 1 Indian trauma care centre: an epidemiological analysis

Trauma contributes to a significant proportion of mortality and morbidity in the economically productive age group of 15-45 years. Infections are the second most important cause of death in trauma patients after head injury. Despite advances in trauma care, deaths due to septicemia are increasing. An epidemiological study of septicemia-related deaths were conducted at a level 1 Trauma Centre from January 2011 to December 2011. A total of 201 patients died due to suspected septicemia. The average age of the deceased trauma victims was 35.9 years and the median length of stay in hospital before death was 27 days. In our study, a high proportion of patients had grown pathogens in significant counts from respiratory specimens (36%) and blood (23%) during ante-mortem period, which may have contributed to their fatal outcome. Infections are one of the most common and fatal complications following trauma and complicate the recovery of a significant number of injured patients.

Impact of vitamin D fortified milk supplementation on vitamin D status of healthy school children aged 10-14 years

Vitamin D deficiency is a major public health problem, needing immediate attention. We studied the effect of vitamin D fortification of milk in school children. Our results show that fortification of milk is safe and effective strategy to deal with widespread vitamin D deficiency.

INTRODUCTION

Vitamin D deficiency among school children and adolescents is a well-documented major public health problem, needing immediate attention. To assess the effect of vitamin D fortified milk on serum 25 hydroxy vitamin D [S.25(OH)D] levels, we carried out a prospective double-blind randomized control trial in apparently healthy school children, aged 10-14 years.

METHODS

Of 776 subjects recruited out of 796 who consented, 713 (boys-300; girls-413) completed the study. Subjects were randomized into three groups. Group A (n = 237) received 200 ml of unfortified milk per day while group B (n = 243) and group C (n = 233) received 200 ml of milk fortified with 600 IU (15 μg) and 1,000 IU (25 μg) of vitamin D per day for 12 weeks. Serum calcium, phosphate, alkaline phosphatase, S.25(OH)D, and urinary calcium/creatinine ratio were estimated at baseline and after supplementation.

RESULTS

Hypovitaminosis D [25(OH)D < 20 ng/ml] was observed in 92.3 % subjects with mean S.25(OH)D level of 11.69 ± 5.36 ng/ml. There was no significant difference in S.25(OH)D levels among the three groups at baseline. The mean percentage change in S.25(OH)D level in groups B (137.97 %) and C (177.29 %.) were significantly greater than group A (-5.25 %). The percentage of subjects having S.25(OH)D levels >20 ng/ml following supplementation were 5.9 % in group A, 69.95 % in group B, and 81.11 % in group C in comparison to 6.32 %, 4.9 % and 12 %, respectively, at baseline.

CONCLUSION

Fortification of milk with vitamin D is an effective and safe strategy in improving S.25(OH)D levels in children aged 10-14 years.

Is obesity becoming a public health problem in India? Examine the shift from under- to overnutrition problems over time

This study aimed to examine the prevalence and trends of overweight, obesity and undernutrition in recent decades in India. Based on a systematic literature search on PubMed and other data sources, most published studies were regional or local surveys in urban areas, while good representative data from the India National Family Health Surveys (NFHS, 1992-1993, 1998-1999 and 2005-2006) allowed for examining the trends at the national level. Overall, the available data showed that in India, prevalence of overweight was low while that of undernutrition remained high. Overweight was more prevalent among female, urban and high-socioeconomic-status (SES) groups. NFHS data showed that the prevalence of overweight in women and pre-school children did not increase much in the last decade: 10.6% and 1.6% in 1998-1999 to 12.6% and 1.5% in 2005-2006 respectively. As for underweight, NFHS 2005-2006 showed high prevalence among ever-married women (about 35%) and pre-school children (about 42%). The prevalence of overweight and obesity had increased slightly over the past decade in India, but in some urban and high-SES groups it reached a relatively high level. Factors associated with undernutrition need closer examination, and prevention of obesity should be targeted at the high-risk groups simultaneously.

Ertapenem susceptibility of extended spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae at a tertiary care centre in India

INTRODUCTION

Infections caused by multidrug-resistant organisms such as extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae have come to assume widespread proportions. Carbapenems (imipenem and meropenem) are the drugs of choice for the treatment of infections caused by ESBL-producing organisms. There is limited clinical data regarding the efficacy of the latest carbapenem, called ertapenem, against these organisms in the Indian subcontinent. In this study, ertapenem susceptibility in ESBL-producing clinical isolates was evaluated. The in vitro activities of the three carbapenems were compared in ertapenem-resistant isolates.

METHODS

A total of 205 ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae collected from inpatients and outpatients at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, were identified and tested for antimicrobial susceptibility by the disc diffusion method and Vitek 2 advanced expert system. Ertapenem susceptibility was performed by disc diffusion and Vitek 2 in all the isolates and by E-test in 100 isolates.

RESULTS

191 (93 percent) of the ESBL-producing isolates tested were susceptible to ertapenem. All ertapenem-susceptible isolates were also susceptible to imipenem and meropenem. Isolates with low-level ertapenem resistance retained their susceptibility to imipenem and meropenem, whereas those with high-level ertapenem resistance were resistant to both imipenem and meropenem.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that ertapenem may be a viable alternative to other carbapenems for the treatment of infections caused by ESBL-producing clinical isolates. Clinical outcome studies are required to determine if ertapenem is effective for the treatment of infections caused by these organisms.

Epidemiological transition of hepatitis A in India: issues for vaccination in developing countries

With improvement in economic and living conditions of the communities, the age of acquiring hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection is shifting from early childhood to adolescence and young adulthood. Such epidemiological shift leads to an increased incidence of symptomatic HAV infection, including heightened risk of liver failure. Data from India indicate that the population is no longer homogeneous for its HAV exposure profile. Occasional outbreaks of HAV and higher proportions of symptomatic cases are reported amongst older children and adults from different regions of the country. However, the heterogeneous exposure to HAV defies widespread use of the vaccine. The challenge is to recognize the susceptible pockets and take pre-emptive steps. In regions with rapid improvement in living standards and environmental hygiene, there is a need for regular surveillance through structured protocols that are able to identify early signs of epidemiological shift. This review discusses relevant issues and concerns to influence decision making for HAV vaccination in such transition societies.

Infections in traumatised patients: a growing medico-surgical concern

Accidents and trauma are a leading global cause of mortality in young adults. Infections are one of the most important causes of death in traumatized patients. This is because of factors related to host and those due to trauma itself. Trauma jeopardizes the host's tissue integrity and immune effector mechanisms. Severely traumatized patients admitted to the ICUs are prone to get nosocomial infections due to open wounds and indwelling life saving devices. Massive blood loss also impairs the distribution of polymorphs, complement and antibiotics to the damaged tissues. Finally, diagnosis of infections in traumatized patients poses a challenge to clinicians due to various factors.

An evaluation of four different phenotypic techniques for detection of metallo-beta-lactamase producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa

PURPOSE

The present study was undertaken to detect metallo-beta-lactamase (MBL) in nosocomial isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa by four different phenotypic methods.

METHODS

Ninety-one consecutive P. aeruginosa isolates were subjected to susceptibility testing by disc-diffusion assay and Vitek 2. Imipenem resistance was determined by three different methods (disc-diffusion, Vitek 2 and E test). Screening for MBL production was done by imipenem-EDTA combined disc test, imipenem-EDTA double-disc synergy test, imipenem-EDTA MBL E test and EDTA disc potentiation using four cephalosporins.

RESULTS

Of 63 imipenem resistant isolates, MBL screening could be done in 56 isolates, of which 48 were MBL positive by combined disc test and 36 by the double disc synergy test. For confirmation of MBL production, MBL E test was done in 30 isolates. All the 30 isolates were confirmed to be MBL positive by the MBL E test method. EDTA disc potentiation using four cephalosporins was not very useful for MBL detection.

CONCLUSIONS

Imipenem-EDTA combined disc test and imipenem-EDTA MBL E test are equally effective for MBL detection, but given the cost-constraints, combined disc test can be used as a convenient screening method in the clinical microbiology laboratory.

Fatal haemophagocytic syndrome and hepatitis associated with visceral leishmaniasis

Haemophagocytic syndrome (HPS) secondary to infections occurs due to excessive, non-malignant proliferation of histiocytes, with resultant haemophagocytosis. The syndrome is essentially treatable, provided timely etiological diagnosis is achieved. In this report, we present a rare case of a child who hailed from Uttaranchal and presented with severe hepatitis. Bone marrow examination revealed an unexpected diagnosis of HPS secondary to visceral leishmaniasis. Despite initiating appropriate antileishmanial treatment, the child had a fatal outcome.