Response to Re: Tokyo Guidelines 2018: antimicrobial therapy for acute cholangitis and cholecystitis

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in calculous cholecystitis: are antibiotics necessary?

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in patients with cholecystitis is considered the best, appropriate and safe method of treatment for gallstone disease. However, the role of antibiotic administration before or after cholecystectomy to reduce infectious complications, particularly surgical site infections, or mortality is less clear. Many patients receive empiric antibiotics, but the feasibility of their use has not been proven. Some guidelines suggest the use of antibiotic prophylaxis for all cholecystectomies, although current evidence does not indicate any benefit to this practice in the absence of risk factors. This review examines the results of antibiotic use in laparoscopic cholecystectomy for chronic and acute calculous cholecystitis. Most studies argue against the need to use prophylactic antibiotics during elective surgery in low-risk patients. In cases of mild and moderate acute cholecystitis, the use of antibiotics to prevent postoperative infectious complications has no evidence of effectiveness, although these recommendations are also ambiguous. It is not recommended to use postoperative antibiotics after elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy, as well as for mild or moderate acute cholecystitis. However, additional studies with well-defined patient populations and comparable outcomes are needed to better assess the most appropriate timing and duration of antibiotic use in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. We used MedLine database on the PubMed platform and the Cochrane library to search for literature sources.

Multifactorial Analysis of Biliary Infection in Patients with Hepato-pancreatico-biliary and Associated Intraabdominal Malignancies Admitted to a Teaching Hospital in Northern India

Background

Blockage of the biliary tract is commonly caused by malignant tumors leading to deranged liver function, responsible for poor prognosis and a high rate of bacteriobilia leading to mortality.

Material and methods

We collected retrospective data from the hospital information system and laboratory registers in our department from 2021 to 2022 to evaluate biliary infections in patients with hepato-pancreatico-biliary and associated intraabdominal malignancies.

Result

A total of 118 (118/234, 50.43%) patients' bile samples were estimated in this study. Patients' average age was 53.02 ± 13.49 years, with more patients below the age of 65 years among those with infected bile samples. Eight patients were infected by 102 pathogenic microorganisms. The most common pathogenic microorganism responsible for biliary infection in patients with abdominal malignancies was Escherichia coli (38/102, 37.25%) followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae (21/102, 20.59%) and Enterococcus spp. (18/102, 17.65%). Underlying comorbidities like diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, hypoproteinemia, chronic liver disease, immunosuppression, chronic kidney disease, increased hospital stay, admission to the intensive care unit (ICU), and presence of percutaneous transhepatic biliary drain were statistically significant risk factors for isolation of multidrug-resistant pathogenic bacteria.

Conclusion

Our study guided physicians in identifying the associated demographic characteristics, risk factors, and the spectrum of pathogens responsible for bacteriobilia in abdominal cancer patients along with the antibiotic resistance pattern among these isolates and better selection of antibiotics and antibiotic prophylaxis for patients at risk of developing biliary tract infections with multidrug-resistant pathogens.

How to cite this article

Kar M, Dubey A, Patel SS, et al. Multifactorial Analysis of Biliary Infection in Patients with Hepato-pancreatico-biliary and Associated Intraabdominal Malignancies Admitted to a Teaching Hospital in Northern India. Euroasian J Hepato-Gastroenterol 2023;13(1):10-17.

Solve study: a study to capture global variations in practices concerning laparoscopic cholecystectomy

BACKGROUND

There is a lack of published data on variations in practices concerning laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The purpose of this study was to capture variations in practices on a range of preoperative, perioperative, and postoperative aspects of this procedure.

METHODS

A 45-item electronic survey was designed to capture global variations in practices concerning laparoscopic cholecystectomy, and disseminated through professional surgical and training organisations and social media.

RESULTS

638 surgeons from 70 countries completed the survey. Pre-operatively only 5.6% routinely perform an endoscopy to rule out peptic ulcer disease. In the presence of preoperatively diagnosed common bile duct (CBD) stones, 85.4% (n = 545) of the surgeons would recommend an Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangio-Pancreatography (ERCP) before surgery, while only 10.8% (n = 69) of the surgeons would perform a CBD exploration with cholecystectomy. In patients presenting with gallstone pancreatitis, 61.2% (n = 389) of the surgeons perform cholecystectomy during the same admission once pancreatitis has settled down. Approximately, 57% (n = 363) would always administer prophylactic antibiotics and 70% (n = 444) do not routinely use pharmacological DVT prophylaxis preoperatively. Open juxta umbilical is the preferred method of pneumoperitoneum for most patients used by 64.6% of surgeons (n = 410) but in patients with advanced obesity (BMI > 35 kg/m2, only 42% (n = 268) would use this technique and only 32% (n = 203) would use this technique if the patient has had a previous laparotomy. Most surgeons (57.7%; n = 369) prefer blunt ports. Liga clips and Hem-o-loks® were used by 66% (n = 419) and 30% (n = 186) surgeons respectively for controlling cystic duct and (n = 477) 75% and (n = 125) 20% respectively for controlling cystic artery. Almost all (97.4%) surgeons felt it was important or very important to remove stones from Hartmann's pouch if the surgeon is unable to perform a total cholecystectomy.

CONCLUSIONS

This study highlights significant variations in practices concerning various aspects of laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Caracterización de la flora bacteriana en los pacientes con colelitiasis y colecistitis atendidos en un centro hospitalario de alta complejidad

Introducción. Las infecciones del árbol biliar surgen principalmente por estasis asociada a colecistitis aguda, coledocolitiasis y colecistitis alitiásica, siendo pilar del tratamiento un drenaje apropiado y un régimen antibiótico eficaz. El objetivo de esta investigación fue caracterizar la flora bacteriana de los cultivos de bilis. Métodos. Se realizó un estudio observacional, descriptivo, de corte transversal y retrospectivo de pacientes llevados a colecistectomía, colangiopancreatografía retrograda endoscópica y colecistostomía en nuestra institución, a quienes se les tomó cultivo de líquido biliar entre 2017 - 2021. Resultados. Se incluyeron 119 pacientes intervenidos, de los cuales 55,4 % fueron mujeres y el promedio de edad fue de 63,1 (± 16). La clasificación Tokio 2 fue la más frecuente (55,4 %). El germen aislado con mayor frecuencia fue E. coli (51,2 %). El antibiótico más usado fue ampicilina más sulbactam (44,6 %) seguido de piperacilina tazobactam (40,3 %). Conclusión. La Escherichia coli es el germen aislado con mayor frecuencia en infecciones del árbol biliar. No hay claridad con respecto al uso de antimicrobianos de manera profiláctica en esta patología, por esto es conveniente generar protocolos para la toma de muestras y cultivos de bilis en esta población, con el fin de establecer la necesidad del uso de antibióticos y conocer los perfiles de resistencia bacteriana.

Detection of Acinetobacter Baumannii and Staphylococcus Capitis in Bile from Two Patients with Chronic Xanthogranulomatous Cholecystitis: The Impact of Metagenomic Analysis

Background

Escherichia coli is thought to cause xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis (XGC). However, it is unclear whether other pathogens are associated with the cause and progression of XGC.

Case presentation

Patient 1 was a 55-year-old man with a previous surgical history of right lung cancer. He presented with abdominal pain and was diagnosed with acute cholecystitis. He underwent endoscopic nasogallbladder drainage (ENGBD), antimicrobial therapy, and endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST). He underwent cholecystectomy on day 59. The patient was pathologically diagnosed with chronic phase XGC. Acinetobacter baumannii was isolated from the bile sample during the operation. Patient 2 was a 58-year-old man with no previous medical history. He presented with abdominal pain and was diagnosed with acute cholecystitis. He underwent endoscopic retrograde biliary drainage (ERGBD) and antimicrobial therapy. His symptoms improved, but acute cholecystitis became exacerbated on day 53. The patient was treated with antimicrobial therapy. He underwent cholecystectomy on day 88. The patient was pathologically diagnosed with focal acute inflammatory phase XGC. Staphylococcus capitis was isolated from the bile during the operation. This study describes two patients with XGC, one infected with A. baumannii and the other with S. capitis, in their gallbladders, which was identified by bacterial culture. Metagenomic analysis revealed that the genera Acinetobacter and Staphylococcus predominated and that other genera, including Delftia and Anaerobacillus, were also present, suggesting that these bacteria play a significant role in the pathological changes associated with XGC.

Conclusions

This is the first report of A. baumannii and S. capitis infections in patients with XGC.

Grayscale ultrasonography findings for characterization of gallbladder wall thickening in non-acute setting: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The accurate characterization of gallbladder wall thickening (GWT) into benign or malignant on ultrasound (US) is a significant challenge.

METHODS

We searched the MEDLINE and EMBASE databases for studies reporting two-dimensional grayscale US in benign and malignant GWT. The pooled prevalence was calculated using a generalized linear mixed method with a random-effects model. The pooled sensitivity and specificity were calculated using a bivariate random-effects model.

RESULTS

Of the 7309 studies screened by titles, 73 studies with 18,008 patients were included. The most common findings in xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis (XGC) were lack of wall disruption and intramural hypoechoic nodules while adenomyomatosis (ADM) was frequently associated with intramural cysts and intramural echogenic foci. Echogenic foci, lack of gallbladder wall disruption, and hypoechoic nodules had a sensitivity of 89%, 77%, and 66% and specificity of 86%, 51%, and 80%, respectively for the diagnosis of benign GWT. Focal thickening and indistinct liver interface had a sensitivity of 75% and 55% and specificity of 64% and 69%, respectively for the diagnosis of malignant GWT.

CONCLUSION

intramural features (echogenic foci, hypoechoic nodules), gallbladder wall disruption, and liver interface are useful US features for the characterization of GWT.

The Importance of Early Management of Severe Biliary Infection: Current Concepts

Background

The incidence of biliary infections is rising worldwide and has become one of the main reasons for emergency admissions.

Methods

This is a narrative review of the literature emphasizing news concepts related to the early management of biliary diseases.

Results

The bacteriology is frequently polymicrobial, with a progressive increase of multidrug resistant bacteria. The form of presentation is variable, and the mortality rate may reach 20%. When cholecystitis or cholangitis is suspected, ultrasound is the gold standard imaging test. Depending on the severity of presentation, local resistances, and risk factors for multiresistant organisms, the most appropriate empirical antibiotic treatment must be initiated. In acute cholecystitis, cholecystectomy plays the main therapeutic role. In patients not suitable for surgery, percutaneous cholecystostomy is a valid alternative for source control. Treatment of severe cholangitis is based on the drainage of the bile duct and antibiotic therapy.

Conclusions

Biliary infections are serious conditions that can lead to sepsis and death. The introduction of new internationally accepted guidelines, based on clinical presentation, laboratory tests, and imaging, provides a platform for their timely diagnosis and management. Early severity assessment, initiation of intravenous antibiotics, and source control are fundamental to improving morbidity and mortality.

[Russian consensus on current issues in the diagnosis and treatment of obstructive jaundice syndrome]

The Russian consensus document on topical issues of the diagnosis and treatment of obstructive jaundice syndrome was prepared by a group of experts in various fields of surgery, endoscopy, interventional radiology, radiological diagnosis and intensive care. The goal of this document is to clarify and consolidate the opinions of national experts on the following issues: timing of diagnosis of obstructive jaundice, features of diagnostic measures, the need and possibility of conservative measures for obstructive jaundice, and strategy of biliary decompression depending on the cause and level of biliary block.

Colangitis esclerosante primaria. Una revisión narrativa

La colangitis esclerosante primaria (CEP) es una patología hepática crónica y rara que se caracterizapor la inflamación y fibrosis de los conductos biliares, cuya evolución puede llevar a la cirrosis, hipertensión portal y enfermedad hepática en etapa terminal. Su etiología es desconocida, pero se ha relacionado con factores genéticos y autoinflamatorios. Además, tiene una relación muy estrecha con la enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal (EII). Su presentación clínica es muy inespecífica, sus principales síntomas son el prurito y la fatiga. La prueba estándar para su diagnóstico es la colangiopancreatografía por resonancia magnética (CPRM), donde se observa un aspecto anular ocasionado por estenosis multifocales cortas con segmentos alternos normales o dilatados. Actualmente, no existe ningún tratamiento farmacológico que logre prolongar la supervivencia sin un trasplante de hígado en la CEP. Sólo se puede hacer tratamiento sintomático, especialmente del prurito. El único manejo curativo con el que se cuenta hoy en día es el trasplante hepático, aunque existe un riesgo de recurrencia de la enfermedad. Es muy importante la vigilancia de los trastornos inflamatorios intestinales, la malignidad y la enfermedad metabólica ósea en estos pacientes. Se ha visto que algunos factores, como el diagnóstico temprano, son de buen pronóstico para la enfermedad.

Higher incidence of acute kidney injury in patients treated with piperacillin/tazobactam than in patients treated with cefepime: a single-center retrospective cohort study

Background

Piperacillin/tazobactam (PIPC/TAZ) and cefepime (CFPM) are commonly used for the treatment of nosocomial and healthcare-associated infections. Recent reports have suggested that the incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients treated with a combination of vancomycin (VCM) and PIPC/TAZ is higher than that in patients treated with CFPM. However, there have been few reports on a comparison of the incidences of AKI in patients treated with PIPC/TAZ monotherapy and patients treated with CFPM. In this study, we investigated whether the incidence of AKI in patients treated with PIPC/TAZ is higher than that in patients treated with CFPM.

Methods

This study was a single-center retrospective observational study. Patients who died during the therapeutic period, patients younger than 18 years of age, and patients undergoing hemodialysis were excluded. Primary outcomes were the incidence of AKI and the AKIN stages defined by the Acute Kidney Injury Network. Secondary outcomes were discontinuation and/or change of antibiotics and initiation of dialysis due to AKI. We also investigated the time to onset and the risk factors of AKI in this population.

Results

There were 163 patients in the PIPC/TAZ group and 103 patients in the CFPM group. The incidence of AKI in patients treated with PIPC/TAZ (8.6%) was significantly higher than that in patients treated with CFPM (0.9%) (odds ratio (OR), 9.53; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.41–408; p= 0.011). AKI severity was mostly stage 1 in both groups. There was no discontinuation and/or changes of antibiotics and there was no initiation of dialysis in either group. The onset of AKI in the PIPC/TAZ group (median period of 4 days) was earlier than that in the CFPM group. PIPC/TAZ was determined to be an independent risk factor of AKI in multivariate analysis (adjusted OR, 9.56; 95% CI, 1.21–75.3; p = 0.032).

Conclusions

This study showed that the incidence of AKI in patients who received PIPC/TAZ was higher than that in patients who received CFPM. Furthermore, the onset of AKI was earlier in patients who received PIPC/TAZ than in patients who received CFPM. PIPC/TAZ was an independent risk factor of AKI in this study population.