Risk factors for incisional and organ space surgical site infections after liver resection are different

Is prolonged operative time associated with postoperative complications in liver surgery? An international multicentre cohort study of 5424 patients

BACKGROUND

The relation between operative time and postoperative complications in liver surgery is unclear. The aim of this study is to assess the impact of operative time on the development of postoperative complications in patients who underwent minimally invasive or open liver resections of various anatomical extent and technical difficulty levels.

METHODS

In this retrospective cohort study, patients that underwent a right hemihepatectomy (RH), technically major resection (anatomically minor resection in segment 1, 4a, 7 or 8; TMR) or left lateral sectionectomy (LLS) between 2000 and 2022 were extracted from a multicenter database comprising the prospectively maintained databases of 31 centers in 13 countries. Minimally invasive procedures performed during the learning curve were omitted. Logistic regression models, performed separately for 9 different groups based on stratification by procedure type and allocated surgical approach, were used to assess the association between the fourth quartile of operative time (25% of patients with the longest operative time) and postoperative complications.

RESULTS

Overall, 5424 patients were included: 1351 underwent RH (865 open, 373 laparoscopic and 113 robotic), 2821 TMR (1398 open, 1225 laparoscopic and 198 robotic), and 1252 LLS (241 open, 822 laparoscopic and 189 robotic). After adjusting for potential confounders (age, BMI, gender, ASA grade, previous abdominal surgery, disease type and extent, blood loss, Pringle, intraoperative transfusions and incidents), the fourth quartile of operative time, compared to the first three quartiles, was associated with an increased risk of postoperative complications after open, laparoscopic and robotic TMR (aOR 1.35, p = 0.031; aOR 1.74, p = 0.001 and aOR 3.11, p = 0.014, respectively), laparoscopic and robotic RH (aOR 1.98, p = 0.018 and aOR 3.28, p = 0.055, respectively) and solely laparoscopic LLS (aOR 1.69, p = 0.019).

CONCLUSIONS

A prolonged operative time is associated with an increased risk of postoperative complications, although it remains to be defined if this is a causal relationship.

Surgical site wound infection and pain after laparoscopic repeat hepatectomy for recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma

This study aimed to compare the effects of laparoscopic repeat liver resection (LRLR) and open repeat liver resection (ORLR) on surgical site wound infection and pain in recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma. PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wanfang Data were systematically searched for studies comparing LRLR with ORLR for the treatment of recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma, with a search timeframe from their inception to December 2022. Two investigators independently screened the literature, extracted information, and evaluated the quality of the studies according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. This study was performed using RevMan 5.4 software. A total of 20 publications with 4380 patients were included, with 1108 and 3289 patients in the LRLR and ORLR groups, respectively. The results showed that LRLR significantly reduced surgical site wound infection rate (1.71% vs. 5.16%, odds ratio [OR]:0.32, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.18-0.56, P < .001), superficial wound infection rate (1.29% vs. 4.92%, OR: 0.29, 95% CI: 0.14-0.58, P < .001), bile leakage (3.34% vs. 6.05%, OR: 0.59, 95% CI: 0.39-0.90, P = .01), organ/space wound infection rate (0.4% vs. 5.11%, OR: 0.23, 95% CI: 0.07-0.81, P = .02), and surgical site wound pain (mean difference: -2.00, 95% CI: -2.99 to -1.02, P < .001). Thus, the findings of this study showed that LRLR for recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma significantly reduced wound infection rates and improved postoperative wound pain.

Subcuticular suture and incisional surgical-site infection in elective hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery: an open-label, pragmatic randomized clinical trial (CLOSKIN trial)

BACKGROUND

Subcuticular suture has proven to reduce superficial incisional SSI (si-SSI) in clean surgery. However, question remains regarding clean-contaminated procedures. The aim of this study is to assess if subcuticular suture is superior to staples in reducing si-SSI incidence in elective HBP surgery.

METHODS

Single-centre, open-label, parallel, pragmatic randomized clinical trial conducted at a referral tertiary Hospital between January 2020 and April 2022. Patients eligible for elective HBP surgery were randomly assigned (1:1) to subcuticular suture or surgical staples wound closure using a minimisation method based on previously confirmed risk factors. The primary endpoint was the incidence of si-SSI. Considered secondary endpoints were major postoperative morbidity in both groups, additional wound complications, median hospital length of stay and need for re-hospitalisation.

RESULTS

Of the 379 patients, 346 patients were randomly assigned to receive skin closure with staples (n = 173) or subcuticular suture (n = 173). After further exclusion of 11 participants, 167 and 168 patients, respectively in the control and the experimental group received their allocated intervention. For the primary endpoint, no significant differences in si-SSI rate were found: 17 (9.82%) staples group vs. 8 (4.62%) in subcuticular suture group (p = 0.062). Subset analysis confirmed absence of significant differences. As for secondary endpoints, overall wound complications did not differ significantly between two procedures: 19 (10.98%) vs. 10 (6.35%) (p = 0.127). There were no treatment related adverse events. However, occurrence of si-SSI contributed to major postoperative morbidity in both groups (p < 0.001 and p = 0.018) and to a substantially prolonged postoperative hospitalization (p = 0.015).

CONCLUSIONS

Subcuticular suture might offer a relative benefit for skin closure reducing incidence of si-SSI after elective HBP surgery, although this was found not to be clinically relevant. Yet, this should not be interpreted as equivalence among both treatments. Therefore, wound closure strategy should not be based only on these grounds.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

ISRCTN Registry number ISRCTN37315612 (registration date: 14/01/2020).

Pre- and postoperative C-reactive protein as a risk factor of organ/space surgical site infection after hepatectomy

BACKGROUND

Organ/space surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most common complications of liver resection, with significant impact on morbidity and mortality, so patients at high risk should be identified early. This study aimed to determine whether pre- and postoperative C-reactive protein (CRP) levels could predict organ/space SSIs.

METHODS

The hospital records of consecutive patients who underwent hepatectomy without biliary reconstruction at our institutions between 2008 and 2015 were reviewed retrospectively. Preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative variables were compared between patients with or without organ/space SSIs. Its risk factors were also determined.

RESULTS

Among 443 identified patients, 55 cases (12.5%) developed organ/space SSIs; they more frequently experienced other complications and bile leakage (47.3% vs. 16.6%, p = 0.001; 40.0% vs. 8.5%, p < 0.001, respectively). Postoperative CRP elevation from postoperative day (POD) 3 to 5 was significantly more frequent in the SSI group (21.8% vs. 4.9%, p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis identified preoperative CRP ≥ 0.2 mg/dL (odds ratio (OR), 2.01, p = 0.044], preoperative cholangitis (OR, 15.7; p = 0.020), red cell concentrate (RCC) transfusion (OR, 2.61, p = 0.018), bile leakage (OR, 9.51; p < 0.001), and CRP level elevation from POD 3 to 5 (OR, 3.81, p = 0.008) as independent risk factors for organ/space SSIs.

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative CRP elevation and postoperative CRP trajectory are risk factors for organ/space SSIs after liver resection. A prolonged CRP level elevation at POD 5 indicates its occurrence. If there were no risk factors and no CRP elevation at POD 5, its presence could be excluded.

Advantages of skin closure with subcuticular suture for liver resection on postoperative and cosmetic outcomes: a propensity matched analysis

PURPOSE

The effects of subcuticular sutures on postoperative and cosmetic outcomes in patients who underwent liver resection have not been well studied. Here, we investigated the advantages of subcuticular suture compared to skin stapler regarding open liver resection.

METHODS

We assessed 342 patients who underwent liver resection at Nara Medical University between 2008 and 2015. They were divided into two groups: subcuticular suture and staple groups. Baseline characteristics and perioperative outcomes were retrospectively compared using one-to-one propensity score matching analysis.

RESULTS

In this period, 179 patients underwent skin closure with subcuticular sutures and 163 patients underwent skin closure with staples. After propensity matching, 85 pairs of cases were matched. The incidence of wound infection was similar in the two groups (3.5% in the subcuticular suture group and 9.4% in the staple group; p = 0.119). The length of hospital stay was significantly shorter in the subcuticular suture group than in the staple group (10 days vs 15 days; p < 0.001). In addition, the rate of patients who were discharged within 7 days after surgery was statistically higher in the subcuticular group (21.1% vs 3.5%, p = 0.001). Hypertrophic scar 6 months after surgery was significantly less frequent in the subcuticular group (9.4% vs 25.9%, p = 0.010).

CONCLUSION

Subcuticular sutures might be advantageous for liver surgery reducing length of hospital stay and proportion of hypertrophic scar.

Risk Factors for 30-Day Unplanned Readmission After Hepatectomy: Analysis of 438 Pediatric Patients from the ACS-NSQIP-P Database

BACKGROUND

Hepatic resections are uncommon in children. Most studies reporting complications of these procedures and risk factors associated with unplanned readmissions are limited to retrospective data from single centers. We investigated risk factors for 30-day unplanned readmission after hepatectomy in children using the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement-Pediatric database.

METHODS

The database was queried for patients aged 0-18 years who underwent hepatectomy for the treatment of liver lesions from 2012 to 2018. Chi-squared tests were performed to evaluate for potential risk factors for unplanned readmissions. A multivariate regression analysis was performed to identify independent predictors for unplanned 30-day readmissions.

RESULTS

Among 438 children undergoing hepatectomy, 64 (14.6%) had unplanned readmissions. The median age of the hepatectomy cohort was 1 year (0-17); 55.5% were male. Patients readmitted had significantly higher rates of esophageal/gastric/intestinal disease (26.56% vs. 14.97%; p=0.022), current cancer (85.94% vs. 75.67%; p=0.012), and enteral and parenteral nutritional support (31.25% vs. 17.65%; p=0.011). Readmitted patients had significantly higher rates of perioperative blood transfusion (67.19% vs. 52.41%; p=0.028), organ/space surgical site infection (10.94% vs. 1.07%; p<.001), sepsis (15.63% vs. 3.74%; p<.001), and total parenteral nutrition at discharge (9.09% vs. 2.66%; p=0.041). Organ/space surgical site infection was an independent risk factor for unplanned readmission (OR=9.598, CI [2.070-44.513], p=0.004) by multivariable analysis.

CONCLUSION

Unplanned readmissions after liver resection are frequent in pediatric patients. Organ/space surgical site infections may identify patients at increased risk for unplanned readmission. Strategies to reduce these complications may decrease morbidity and costs associated with unplanned readmissions.

A nomogram for predicting postoperative pulmonary infection in esophageal cancer patients

Background

Although postoperative pulmonary infection (POI) commonly occurs in patients with esophageal cancer after curative surgery, a patient-specific predictive model is still lacking. The main aim of this study is to construct and validate a nomogram for estimating the risk of POI by investigating how perioperative features contribute to POI.

Methods

This cohort study enrolled 637 patients with esophageal cancer. Perioperative information on participants was collected to develop and validate a nomogram for predicting postoperative pulmonary infection in esophageal cancer. Predictive accuracy, discriminatory capability, and clinical usefulness were evaluated by calibration curves, concordance index (C-index), and decision curve analysis (DCA).

Results

Multivariable logistic regression analysis indicated that length of stay, albumin, intraoperative bleeding, and perioperative blood transfusion were independent predictors of POI. The nomogram for assessing individual risk of POI indicated good predictive accuracy in the primary cohort (C-index, 0.802) and validation cohort (C-index, 0.763). Good consistency between predicted risk and observed actual risk was presented as the calibration curve. The nomogram for estimating POI of esophageal cancer had superior net benefit with a wide range of threshold probabilities (4–81%).

Conclusions

The present study provided a nomogram developed with perioperative features to assess the individual probability of infection may conducive to strengthen awareness of infection control and provide appropriate resources to manage patients at high risk following esophagectomy.

Three-day postoperative antibiotics reduces post-hepatectomy infection rate in hepatitis B virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND AND AIM

The evidences for use of postoperative antibiotics (POA) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients who underwent hepatectomy are controversial. We aimed to explore the relationship between POA and hepatectomy-related infection in a hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related HCC population.

METHODS

We retrospectively collected 934 HCC patients who underwent hepatectomy for curative intent from three tertiary hospitals in China. The incidences of postoperative infection including surgical site infection and remote site infection were recorded and calculated. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to explore related factors of postoperative infection and POA. And the relationship between infection rates with different durations of POA was investigated.

RESULTS

The overall infection rate was 8.2% (77/934), including 6.5% (61/934) of surgical site infection and 2.0% (19/934) of remote site infection. Multivariable analysis revealed that the administration of POA was negatively related with the incidence of postoperative infection significantly (odds ratio = 0.50, 95% confidence interval = 0.30 to 0.83; P = 0.008). Albumin-bilirubin score, Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage and extent of hepatectomy were independently related to the POA. And 3-day regimen seemed to be the shortest duration of POA to gain the lowest incidence of postoperative infection.

CONCLUSIONS

Postoperative antibiotic is necessary for HBV-related HCC patients to prevent postoperative infection, especially for those with higher albumin-bilirubin score, at BCLC stage B-C, or who underwent major hepatectomy. For HBV-related HCC patients, postoperative second-generation cephalosporins, or ceftriaxone for 3 days after surgery might be proper.

Impact of Advancing Age on the Status and Risk of Postoperative Infections After Liver Resection

BACKGROUND

Despite the recently increasing number of elderly patients undergoing liver resection, the impact of advancing age on postoperative infections (PIs) incidence and risk remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the impact of advancing age on PIs incidence and status.

METHODS

This retrospective study included 744 patients undergoing liver resection without biliary reconstruction or combined resection of other organs. Multivariable analysis with a restricted cubic spline was used to evaluate the impact of advancing age on PIs and to determine its association with PIs risk in patients undergoing open and laparoscopic liver resection (OLR and LLR, respectively).

RESULTS

Multivariable analysis demonstrated that advancing age was significantly associated with increased PIs risk (P = 0.017). The spline curve showed that the odds ratio for PIs sharply increased starting approximately at 65 years of age. Unadjusted restricted cubic splines assessing the subcategories of PIs demonstrated that advancing age was associated with increased risks of organ/space surgical site infection and sepsis (P = 0,064 and 0.048, respectively). Multivariable analysis revealed that LLR was associated with the lower PIs risk compared with OLR (P = 0.025), whereas the lower PIs risk with LLR was not significantly obscured by advancing age (P = 0.29).

CONCLUSIONS

Advancing age was associated with increased risk of PIs, including organ/space surgical site infections and sepsis, after liver resection especially in patients aged ≥ 65 years.

Hypoalbuminemia as Surrogate and Culprit of Infections

Hypoalbuminemia is associated with the acquisition and severity of infectious diseases, and intact innate and adaptive immune responses depend on albumin. Albumin oxidation and breakdown affect interactions with bioactive lipid mediators that play important roles in antimicrobial defense and repair. There is bio-mechanistic plausibility for a causal link between hypoalbuminemia and increased risks of primary and secondary infections. Serum albumin levels have prognostic value for complications in viral, bacterial and fungal infections, and for infectious complications of non-infective chronic conditions. Hypoalbuminemia predicts the development of healthcare-associated infections, particularly with Clostridium difficile. In coronavirus disease 2019, hypoalbuminemia correlates with viral load and degree of acute lung injury and organ dysfunction. Non-oncotic properties of albumin affect the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of antimicrobials. Low serum albumin is associated with inadequate antimicrobial treatment. Infusion of human albumin solution (HAS) supplements endogenous albumin in patients with cirrhosis of the liver and effectively supported antimicrobial therapy in randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Evidence of the beneficial effects of HAS on infections in hypoalbuminemic patients without cirrhosis is largely observational. Prospective RCTs are underway and, if hypotheses are confirmed, could lead to changes in clinical practice for the management of hypoalbuminemic patients with infections or at risk of infectious complications.

Perioperative Outcomes Following Combined Versus Isolated Colorectal and Liver Resections: Insights From a Contemporary, National, Propensity Score-Based Analysis

Our objective was to compare outcomes following combined versus isolated resections for metastatic colorectal cancer and/or liver metastases using a large, contemporary national database.

Background

Controversy persists regarding optimal timing of resections in patients with synchronous colorectal liver metastases.

Methods

We analyzed 11,814 patients with disseminated colorectal cancer and/or liver metastases who underwent isolated colon, rectal, or liver resections (CRs, RRs, or LRs) or combined colon/liver or rectal/liver resections (CCLRs or CRLRs) in the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Participant Use File (2011-2015). We examined associations between resection type and outcomes using univariate/multivariate analyses and used propensity adjustment to account for nonrandom receipt of isolated versus combined resections.

Results

Two thousand four hundred thirty-seven (20.6%); 2108 (17.8%); and 6243 (52.8%) patients underwent isolated CR, RR, or LR; 557 (4.7%) and 469 (4.0%) underwent CCLR or CRLR. Three thousand three hundred ninety-five patients (28.7%) had serious complications (SCs). One hundred forty patients (1.2%) died, of which 113 (80.7%) were failure to rescue (FTR). One thousand three hundred eighty-six (11.7%) patients experienced unplanned readmission. After propensity adjustment and controlling for procedural complexity, wound class, and operation year, CCLR/CRLR was independently associated with increased risk of SC, as well as readmission (compared with LR). CCLR was also independently associated with increased risk of FTR and death (compared with LR).

Conclusions

Combined resection uniformly confers increased risk of SC and increased risk of mortality after CCLR; addition of colorectal to LR increases risk of readmission. Combined resections are less safe, and potentially more costly, than isolated resections. Effective strategies to prevent SC after combined resections are warranted.

The Prevalence and Clinical Significance of Anaerobic Bacteria in Major Liver Resection

(1) Background: Anaerobic infections in hepatobiliary surgery have rarely been addressed. Whereas infectious complications during the perioperative phase of liver resections are common, there are very limited data on the prevalence and clinical role of anaerobes in this context. Given the risk of contaminated bile in liver resections, the goal of our study was to investigate the prevalence and outcome of anaerobic infections in major hepatectomies. (2) Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the charts of 245 consecutive major hepatectomies that were performed at the department of General, Visceral, and Transplantation Surgery of the University Hospital of Tuebingen between July 2017 and August 2020. All microbiological cultures were screened for the prevalence of anaerobic bacteria and the patients' clinical characteristics and outcomes were evaluated. (3) Results: Of the 245 patients, 13 patients suffered from anaerobic infections. Seven had positive cultures from the biliary tract during the primary procedure, while six had positive culture results from samples obtained during the management of complications. Risk factors for anaerobic infections were preoperative biliary stenting (p = 0.002) and bile leaks (p = 0.009). All of these infections had to be treated by intervention and adjunct antibiotic treatment with broad spectrum antibiotics. (4) Conclusions: Anaerobic infections are rare in liver resections. Certain risk factors trigger the antibiotic coverage of anaerobes.

Laparoscopic resection reduces superficial surgical site infection in liver surgery

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic liver resection is beneficial compared to open liver resection. This study aimed to evaluate whether laparoscopic liver resection could reduce postoperative infections.

METHODS

This study included 125 and 115 patients with liver tumors who underwent open and pure laparoscopic partial resections or left lateral sectionectomies, respectively. Propensity score matching and stabilized inverse probability of treatment weighting were carried out to compare the postoperative infectious complication rates between the two groups.

RESULTS

Patients with tumors located in Couinaud segment 1, 7, or 8; with tumors adjacent to major vessels; or who underwent repeated resections were more likely to receive open resection. After propensity score matching, the superficial incisional surgical site infection rate tended to be lower in the laparoscopic liver resection group than in the open liver resection group. Moreover, overall infectious complication rate and superficial incisional surgical site infection rate were lower in the laparoscopic group (the cohort formed by the stabilized inverse probability of treatment weighting).

CONCLUSIONS

Using the laparoscopic approach for partial resections and left lateral sectionectomies for liver tumors, the superficial incisional surgical site infection rate could be reduced.

Risk factors for surgical site infections using a data-driven approach

Objective

The objective of this study was to identify risk factors for surgical site infection from digestive, thoracic and orthopaedic system surgeries using clinical and data-driven cut-off values. A second objective was to compare the identified risk factors in this study to risk factors identified in literature.

Summary background data

Retrospective data of 3 250 surgical procedures performed in large tertiary care hospital in The Netherlands during January 2013 to June 2014 were used.

Methods

Potential risk factors were identified using a literature scan and univariate analysis. A multivariate forward-step logistic regression model was used to identify risk factors. Standard medical cut-off values were compared with cut-offs determined from the data.

Results

For digestive, orthopaedic and thoracic system surgical procedures, the risk factors identified were preoperative temperature of ≥38°C and antibiotics used at the time of surgery. C-reactive protein and the duration of the surgery were identified as a risk factors for digestive surgical procedures. Being an adult (age ≥18) was identified as a protective effect for thoracic surgical procedures. Data-driven cut-off values were identified for temperature, age and CRP which can explain the SSI outcome up to 19.5% better than generic cut-off values.

Conclusions

This study identified risk factors for digestive, orthopaedic and thoracic system surgical procedures and illustrated how data-driven cut-offs can add value in the process. Future studies should investigate if data-driven cut-offs can add value to explain the outcome being modelled and not solely rely on standard medical cut-off values to identify risk factors.

Effects of preoperative dental examination and oral hygiene instruction on surgical site infection after hepatectomy: a retrospective study

PURPOSE

This study retrospectively investigated relationships among risk factors and post-hepatectomy surgical site infection (SSI) and other complications in patients who underwent hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

METHODS

We included 334 patients who underwent hepatectomies for liver cancers between January 2011 and December 2015 in this study. We evaluated risk factors for SSI and other post-hepatectomy complication, including demographic factors, preoperative factors, and preoperative intervention including oral management, perioperative factors, and length of hospital stay, with univariate and multivariate analyses. The oral management intervention included self-care instructions, extraction of infected teeth, removal of dental plaques and calculus (scaling), professional mechanical teeth cleaning, removal of tongue coating, and cleaning of dentures. SSI was defined in accordance with the guideline issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; it included purulent discharge from any incision or organ space within 30 days postoperatively, with or without microbiological evidence. Complications of grade II or greater, according to the Clavien-Dindo classification, were regarded as postoperative complications.

RESULTS

We found bacterial infection of ascites (Odds ratio (OR) = 13.72), lack of preoperative oral management intervention (OR = 10.17), and severe liver fibrosis (OR = 2.76) to be associated with SSI and severe liver fibrosis (OR = 2.28), hypoalbuminemia (OR = 2.02), blood transfusion (OR = 1.86), and longer operation time (OR = 1.80) to be associated with postoperative complications.

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative oral management may reduce the risk of SSI in patients with HCC who undergo hepatectomy.

Improving the treatment of pre-operative anemia in hepato-pancreato-biliary patients: a quality improvement initiative

Background

Pre-operative anemia is a common, but treatable, condition encountered by surgical patients. It has been associated with increased perioperative complications, length of stay, and blood transfusions. The aim of this project was to increase the treatment rate of pre-operative anemia to 75% of patients consented for major hepato-pancreato-biliary (HPB) surgery.

Methods

This was an interrupted time series study and a spread initiative from a similar project in a colorectal surgery population. Interventions included an anemia screening and treatment algorithm, standardized blood work, referral to a patient blood management program, and standardized oral iron prescriptions. The primary outcome measure was the change in pre-operative anemia treatment rate and the secondary outcome measure was the post treatment increase in hemoglobin.

Results

A total of 208 patients were included (n = 124 pre-intervention and n = 84 post-intervention). Anemia was present in 39.9% of patients. The treatment rate of pre-operative anemia increased to 44.1% from 28.6%. The mean hemoglobin increased from 110 g/L to 119 g/L in patients who were treated (p = 0.03). There was no significant increase or decrease in blood transfusions or mean number of red cell units transfused per patient. Screening rates for pre-operative anemia increased from 41.1 to 64.3% and appropriate referrals to the patient blood management program increased from 14.3 to 67.6%.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates a small scale spread initiative focused on the treatment of pre-operative anemia. Although the goal to treat 75% of anemic patients was not reached, an effective referral pathway to an existing patient blood management program was developed, and a significant increase in the mean hemoglobin in anemic patients who have been treated pre-operatively was demonstrated.

Preoperative serum albumin is associated with intra-abdominal infection following major hepatectomy

Background

Major hepatectomy is a complex surgical procedure with high morbidity. Intra‐abdominal infection (IAI) is common following hepatectomy and affects treatment outcomes. This study was performed to investigate perioperative factors and determine whether the preoperative serum albumin level is associated with IAI following major hepatectomy.

Methods

From January 2008 to December 2018, 268 patients underwent major hepatectomy. We retrospectively analyzed demographic data and preoperative and perioperative variables. IAI was defined as organ/space surgical site infection. Risk factors for IAI were analyzed by logistic regression analysis.

Results

In total, 268 patients were evaluated. IAI was observed in 38 patients (14.6%). The mortality rate in the IAI group was 15.7%. Multivariate logistic analysis confirmed that the serum albumin level (odds ratio 0.91; 95% confidence interval 0.84–0.97; P = 0.03) and operative duration (odds ratio 1.50; 95% confidence interval 1.18–1.91; P < 0.01) were independent factors associated with IAI. A logistic model using the serum albumin level and operative duration to estimate the probability of IAI was analyzed. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for predicting IAI was 0.78.

Conclusion

The serum albumin level and operative duration were independent factors predicting IAI following major hepatectomy.

Giving short-term prophylactic antibiotics in patients undergoing open and laparoscopic hepatic resection

AIM

The 2016 guidelines of the Japan Society for Surgical Infection and the Japan Society of Chemotherapy advocate giving prophylactic antibiotics 1 hour before surgery and until 24 hours after surgery in patients undergoing elective hepatic resection. However, the efficacy of short-term antimicrobial prophylaxis has not been evaluated according to surgical approach. We evaluated the efficacy of giving prophylactic antibiotics in patients undergoing open or laparoscopic hepatic resection.

METHODS

The study comprised 218 and 185 patients undergoing open and pure laparoscopic hepatic resection, respectively. Incidence rates of postoperative infectious complications were compared between patients who received flomoxef sodium as the prophylactic antibiotic before and until 24 hours after surgery (short-term group) and those who received flomoxef sodium until 72 hours after surgery (long-term group) among patients undergoing open or laparoscopic hepatic resection. Propensity score matching analysis was carried out to adjust for confounding factors between the short- and long-term groups.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference in the postoperative infectious complication incidence between the short- and long-term groups among patients undergoing open (18.9% vs 12.2%; P = 0.36) or laparoscopic (3.3% vs 1.7%; P > 0.99) hepatic resection after propensity score matching. Incidence rate of surgical site infections was comparable between the short- and long-term groups among patients undergoing open (13.5% vs 10.8%; P = 0.80) or laparoscopic (3.3% vs 1.7%; P > 0.99) hepatic resection.

CONCLUSION

Giving short-term prophylactic antibiotics might be sufficient in preventing postoperative infectious complications in patients undergoing open and laparoscopic hepatic resection.

Predicting surgical site infections using a novel nomogram in patients with hepatocelluar carcinoma undergoing hepatectomy

BACKGROUND

Surgical site infections (SSI) remain a major cause of morbidity after hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

AIM

To identify the risk factors associated with SSI, and develop a nomogram to predict SSI among patients undergoing hepatectomy.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the data of patients diagnosed with HCC undergoing hepatectomy at two academic institutions in China, and evaluated the occurrence of SSI. Independent risk factors for SSI were identified using univariate and multivariate analyses. Based on these independent risk factors, a nomogram was established using the data of patients in the first institution, and was validated using data from an external independent cohort from the second institution.

RESULTS

The nomogram was established using data from 309 patients, whereas the validation cohort used data from 331 patients. The operation duration, serum albumin level, repeat hepatectomy, and ASA score were identified as independent risk factors. The concordance index (C-index) of the nomogram for SSI prediction in the training cohort was 0.86; this nomogram also performed well in the external validation cohort, with a C-index of 0.84. Accordingly, we stratified patients into three groups, with a distinct risk range based on the nomogram prediction, to guide clinical practice.

CONCLUSION

Our novel nomogram offers good preoperative prediction for SSIs in patients undergoing hepatectomy.

Microbe Isolation from Blood, Central Venous Catheters, and Fluid Collections after Liver Resections

BACKGROUND

Our goal was to evaluate the microbe species responsible for bacteremia or infections related to central venous catheter (CVC) or fluid collections after liver resection.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Data from 112 patients (68 males, 44 females) who underwent liver resection over a period of 63 months were reviewed. Patient and tumor characteristics, intra-operative and post-operative data, and the results from cultures of peripheral blood, CVC tips and drained intra-abdominal or intra-throracic fluid collections were collected.

RESULTS

There were positive blood cultures in 20 patients (17.9%). Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) and bacteria of enteric flora were the micro-organisms found most frequently and half of the cases had multiple isolated microbe species. The construction of a bilioenteric anastomosis was an independent risk factor for microbe isolation in peripheral blood (odds ratio [OR]: 11, p = 0.01). Furthermore, there were positive cultures of the CVC tip in 14 patients (12.5%), with CoNS being the micro-organism found most frequently and most cases had only one isolated microbe species. No specific risk factor for catheter-related infections was detected. In addition, there were positive cultures of drained fluid collections in 19 patients (17%), with bacteria of enteric flora being the micro-organisms found most frequently and the majority of cases had multiple isolated microbe species. The construction of a bilioenteric anastomosis (OR: 23.5, p = 0.002) and the laparoscopic approach (OR: 4.7, p = 0.0496) were independent risk factors for microbe isolation in drained fluid collections. Finally, the presence of positive blood cultures was associated with the presence of positive culture of CVC tips (p = 0.018) and drained fluid collections (p = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Post-operative bacteremia, colonization of CVCs, and contamination of fluid collections occur frequently after liver resections and various microbe species may be involved. Patients who undergo hepatectomy and a synchronous construction of a bilioenteric anastomosis are at increased risk of bacteremia development and contamination of fluid collections.

Single Dose Based Ertapenem Prophylaxis Reduces Surgical Site Infection after Selective Hepatectomy of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Propensity Score Matching Study

Objective

This study aimed to assess whether a single dose of ertapenem prophylaxis was more effective than other antibiotics to prevent surgical site infection (SSI) after selective hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods

The data from HCC patients with open hepatectomy between January 2012 and June 2017 in Shengjing Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. These patients were divided into two groups: ertapenem (ER) group, where a single dose of ER was administered; non-ertapenem (NER) group, where NER antibiotics were administered. The SSI rates were compared between two groups before and after matching the propensity scores.

Results

The enrolled patients consisted of 78 in the ER group and 197 in the NER group. After matching the propensity scores, each group was down-selected to 65 patients. The SSI rate among the matched 130 patients was 14.6%, 7.7% occurred in the ER group and 21.5% in the NER group (P<0.05). The SSI rates in organ/space of the ER and NER groups were 3.1% and 13.8%, respectively (P<0.05).

Conclusions

A single dose of ER before surgery was more effective in mitigating SSI after selective hepatectomy compared with other antibiotics use. The results imply that the selection of both antibiotics and administration timing is important for the efficacy in preventing SSI.

Adverse oncological outcome of surgical site infection after liver resection for colorectal liver metastases

PURPOSES

Postoperative complications are associated with poor overall and cancer-specific survival after resection of various types of cancer, including primary colorectal cancer. However, the oncological impact of surgical site infection (SSI) after liver resection for colorectal liver metastases (CLM) is unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the oncological impact of SSI after liver resection for CLM.

METHODS

We reviewed data from 367 consecutive patients treated by curative liver resection for CLM between 1994 and 2015. Patients who underwent simultaneous resection of colorectal cancer and synchronous liver metastases (n = 86) were excluded from the analysis. Short- and long-term outcomes were analyzed.

RESULTS

SSI developed in 18 (6.4%) of the 281 patients in the analytic cohort (SSI group). The remaining 93.6% (n = 263) did not suffer this complication (no-SSI group). The operative duration was significantly longer in the SSI group than in the No-SSI group (p = 0.002). The overall survival rates 5 years after liver resection for CLM were 33.3% in the SSI group vs. 50.7% in the No-SSI group (p = 0.043). Multivariate analysis indicated that a liver tumor size ≥ 5 cm, R1 resection, and SSI were independently associated with overall survival after liver resection.

CONCLUSIONS

SSI after liver resection for CLM is associated with adverse oncological outcomes.

Risk factors for surgical site infection after major hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery

Major hepatobiliary and pancreatic (HP) surgeries are complex procedures associated with a high incidence of surgical site infection (SSI) and are commonly performed in patients with cancer in Japan. This study was performed to investigate the risk factors for SSI, including incisional and organ/space SSI, in HP surgery. The following procedures were included in the study: hepatectomy with and without biliary tract resection, pancreatectomy [pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD), others], and open cholecystectomy. In total, 735 patients were analyzed. The incidence of SSI was 17.8% (incisional, 5.2%; organ/space, 15.5%; both 2.9%). The highest incidence of SSI was observed in patients who underwent hepatectomy with biliary tract resection (39.1%), followed by pancreatectomy (PD, 28.8%; others, 29.8%). Almost all SSIs after these three procedures were classified as organ/space (39.1%, 25.0%, and 27.7%, respectively), and these procedures were risk factors for not only total SSI but also organ/space SSI in the multivariate analysis. An American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status of ≥3 was a risk factor for incisional SSI. Preoperative biliary drainage, prolonged surgery, concomitant surgery, and massive intraoperative bleeding were associated with SSI. In conclusion, the main type of SSI was organ/space SSI after HP surgery, and different risk factors were identified between organ/space and incisional SSI. Procedure-related factors and preoperative biliary drainage were independent risk factors for SSI. To prevent SSI, the indication for preoperative biliary drainage should be carefully evaluated in patients undergoing HP surgery.

Unique predictors and economic burden of superficial and deep/organ space surgical site infections following pancreatectomy

BACKGROUND

Surgical site infections (SSIs) are common following pancreatectomy and associated with significant morbidity and economic burden. We sought to identify distinct predictors for superficial versus deep/organ space SSIs and their effects on surgical outcomes.

METHODS

ACS-NSQIP targeted pancreatectomy 2014 and 2015 databases were queried. Univariate and multivariate models were developed for both types of SSI, length of stay (LOS), and readmission. Costs were estimated based on Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recommendations.

RESULTS

Of 8093 patients, there were 422 (5.2%) superficial and 1005 (12.4%) deep/organ space SSIs. On multivariate analyses, preoperative biliary stenting was predictive only for superficial SSI (OR: 2.21), while BMI of 25-29.9 (OR: 1.25) and BMI ≥30 kg/m2 (OR: 1.53), pancreatic duct size <3 mm (OR: 1.30), and intermediate (OR: 1.67) versus hard gland texture were predictors of deep/organ-space SSI. Superficial and deep/organ space SSIs were independent predictors of prolonged LOS (OR: 1.74 vs 1.80) and readmission (OR: 2.59 vs 6.57). Additional readmission costs per patient secondary to superficial SSI and deep/organ space SSI were $7661.37 and $18,409.42, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Deep/organ space SSI contributes more profoundly to prolonged hospital stay, readmission, and additional costs, suggesting that strategies should focus on preferential prevention of deep/organ space infections.

Comparison of chlorhexidine–isopropanol with isopropanol skin antisepsis for prevention of surgical-site infection after abdominal surgery

Background

Prevention of surgical-site infection (SSI) has received increasing attention. Clinical trials have focused on the role of skin antisepsis in preventing SSI. The benefit of combining antiseptic chlorhexidine with alcohol has not been compared with alcohol-based skin preparation alone in a prospective controlled clinical trial.

Methods

Between August and October 2014, patients undergoing abdominal surgery received preoperative skin antisepsis with 70 per cent isopropanol (PA). Those treated between November 2014 and January 2015 received 2 per cent chlorhexidine with 70 per cent isopropanol (CA). The primary endpoint was SSI on postoperative day (POD) 10, which was evaluated using univariable analysis, and a multivariable logistic regression model correcting for known independent risk factors for SSI. The study protocol was published in the German Registry of Clinical Studies (DRKS00011174).

Results

In total, 500 patients undergoing elective midline laparotomy were included (CA 221, PA 279). The incidence of superficial and deep SSIs was significantly different on POD 10: 14 of 212 (6·6 per cent) among those treated with CA and 32 of 260 (12·3 per cent) in those who received PA (P = 0·038). In the multivariable analysis, skin antisepsis with CA was an independent factor for reduced incidence of SSI on POD 10 (P = 0·034).

Conclusion

This study showed a benefit of adding chlorhexidine to alcohol for skin antisepsis in reducing early SSI compared with alcohol alone.

Significance of bacterial culturing of prophylactic drainage fluid in the early postoperative period after liver resection for predicting the development of surgical site infections

PURPOSES

The relationship between the results of bacterial drainage fluid cultures in the early postoperative period after liver resection and the development of surgical site infections (SSIs) is unclear. We evaluated the diagnostic value of bacterial cultures of drainage fluid obtained on postoperative day (POD) 1 after liver resection.

METHODS

The cases of all consecutive patients who underwent elective liver resection from January 2014 to December 2016 were analyzed. The association between a positive culture result and the development of SSIs was analyzed.

RESULTS

A total of 195 consecutive patients were studied. Positive drainage fluid cultures were obtained in 6 patients (3.1%). A multivariate analysis revealed that a positive drainage fluid culture was an independent risk factor for SSIs (odds ratio: 8.04, P = 0.035), and combined resection of the gastrointestinal tract was a risk factor for a positive drainage fluid culture (P = 0.006). Among the patients who did not undergo procedures involving the gastrointestinal tract, there was no association between drainage fluid culture positivity and SSIs.

CONCLUSIONS

The detection of positive culture results for drainage fluid collected on POD 1 after liver resection was associated with SSIs. However, among patients who did not undergo procedures involving the gastrointestinal tract, it was not a predictor of SSIs.

A nomogram prediction of postoperative surgical site infections in patients with perihilar cholangiocarcinoma

Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the major morbidities after radical resection for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (PHCC). This study aimed to clarify the risk factors and construct a nomogram to predict SSIs in patients with PHCC.A total of 335 consecutive patients who underwent hepatectomy combined with hepaticojejunostomy between January 2013 and December 2015 were analyzed retrospectively. SSIs, including incisional (superficial and deep) and space/organ infection, were defined according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)'s National Nosocomial Infection Surveillance (NNIS) system. Risk factors associated with postoperative SSIs were analyzed by univariate and multivariate analyses. A nomogram was developed on the basis of results from the multivariate logistic model and the discriminatory ability of the model was analyzed.PHCC patients had higher organ/space SSI rate than incisional SSI rate after radical resection. Multivariate analysis showed that risk factors indicating postoperative overall SSIs (incisional and organ/space) included coexisting cholangiolithiasis [odds ratio (OR): 6.77; 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 2.40-19.11; P < .001], blood loss >1500 mL (OR: 4.77; 95% CI: 1.45-15.65; P  =  .010), having abdominal surgical history (OR: 5.85; 95% CI: 1.91-17.97; P  =  .002), and bile leakage (OR: 15.28; 95% CI: 5.90-39.62; P < .001). The β coefficients from the multivariate logistic model were used to construct the model for estimation of SSI risk. The scoring model was as follows: -4.12 +1.91 × (coexisting cholangiolithiasis  =  1) + 1.77 × (having previous abdominal surgical history  =  1) +1.56 × (blood loss >1500 mL  =  1) + 2.73 × (bile leakage  =  1). The discriminatory ability of the model was good and the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) was 0.851.In PHCC patients, there may be a relationship between postoperative SSIs and abdominal surgical history, coexisting cholangiolithiasis, bile leakage, and blood loss. The nomogram can be used to estimate the risk of postoperative SSIs in patients with PHCC.

Incidence and Risk Factors for Organ/Space Infection after Radiofrequency-Assisted Hepatectomy or Ablation of Liver Tumors in a Single Center: More than Meets the Eye

Introduction

Surgical site infections (SSIs) and especially organ/space infection (O/SI) after resection or ablation of liver tumors are associated with increased morbidity and mortality. A secondary blood stream infection (BSI) is considered an O/SI but the exact prevalence is unknown. We aimed to investigate the incidence of O/SI and BSIs in a cohort of consecutive patients after liver resection or ablation, to seek for a possible connection between them and to search for potential risk factors.

Materials and methods

We reviewed all patients who underwent hepatic resection or intraoperative liver ablation between January 2012 and December 2016 in our department. We focused on age, gender, Child–Pugh score, preoperative biliary drainage, indication for surgery, type of resection, resection or ablation of tumor, need for bilioenteric reconstruction, additional procedure to hepatectomy, blood transfusion, operative time, postoperative admission to ICU, and antibiotic chemoprophylaxis. All positive cultures from intra-abdominal fluids and blood were recorded. O/SI and BSIs were diagnosed by the criteria set by Centers for Disease Control. All variables were compared between the group with O/SI and the group without infection. BSIs were associated with these infections also.

Results

Eighty-one consecutive patients with a mean age of 64 years were enrolled. Fifteen patients presented a positive culture postoperatively: intra-abdominal fluid in eight, blood cultures in six, and both blood and intra-abdominal fluid in one patient. The directly estimated incidence of O/SI amounted to 11.1%. Four blood cultures were secondary to O/SI, and the remaining two secondary to central line catheter. O/SI was diagnosed indirectly, through the BSI in an additional 4.9% of the patients, raising the incidence of SSI to 16%. Among the factors studied, only admission to the ICU was found to be statistically significant as a risk factor for the development of O/SI (p = 0.026).

Conclusion

O/SI should be actively seeked for after liver surgery including blood cultures. Patients with affected physical status, comorbidities are in greater risk of developing O/SI.

Liver resection morbidity, mortality, and risk factors at the departments of hepatobiliary surgery in Veracruz, Mexico

INTRODUCTION

Liver resection has been associated with high morbidity and mortality, and the most serious complication is liver failure. Patient evaluation is limited to risk scales. The 50-50 criteria and bilirubin peak>7mg/dl have been used as mortality predictors.

AIM

The aim of this study was to determine the risk factors associated with morbidity and mortality for liver resection in our population.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A retrospective study was carried out on 51 patients that underwent liver resection. Sociodemographic variables, pathology, and the surgical act were analyzed, together with morbidity and mortality and their associated factors.

RESULTS

Fifty-one patients, 23 men and 28 women, were analyzed. They had a mean age of 51.4±19.13 years, 64.7% had concomitant disease, and their mean MELD score was 7.49±1.79. The mean size of the resected lesions was 7.34±3.47cm, 51% were malignant, and 34 minor resections were performed. The Pringle maneuver was used in 64.7% of the cases and the mean blood loss was 1,090±121.76ml. Morbidity of 25.5% was associated with viral hepatitis infection, greater blood loss, transfusion requirement, the Pringle maneuver, lower hemoglobin and PTT values, and higher MELD, INR, bilirubin, and glucose values. A total 3.9% mortality was associated with hyperbilirubinemia, hyperglycemia, and greater blood loss and transfusions.

CONCLUSIONS

The main risk factors associated with the morbidity and mortality of liver resection in our population were those related to the preoperative biochemical parameters of the patient and the factors that occurred during the surgical act.

Low dose of lipopolysaccharide pretreatment can alleviate the in?ammatory response in wound infection mouse model

PURPOSE

To assess the effects of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) pretreatment on wound infection mouse model and evaluate the biological safety of the optimal pretreatment dose in vivo.

METHODS

Mice were pretreated with LPS of different doses at 48 and 24 h before femoral medial lon- gitudinal incision was made and infected with different bacteria.

RESULTS

It is showed that 0.5 mg/kg/time of LPS pretreatment can significantly alleviate the inflammation in mouse model infected with methicillin-resistances Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin-sensitive S. aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa,or Escherichia coli compared with doses of 0.25 mg/kg/time, 1 mg/ kg/time, and 1.5 mg/kg/time.

CONCLUSIONS

LPS pretreatment can alleviate the inflammation in mouse model and the optimal dose is 0.5 mg/kg/time, and meanwhile it does not damage organs' function.