No. 275-Antibiotic Prophylaxis in Gynaecologic Procedures

Mastering nonobstetric surgery in pregnancy: Insights, guidelines evaluation, and point-by-point discussion

For surgeons and clinicians, nonobstetric surgery during pregnancy has certain difficulties and considerations. In order to aid in decision-making in these situations, this manuscript offers a thorough review of the guidelines currently in place from renowned obstetric and surgical societies, such as the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists, and others. Using AGREE II-S methodology, a comprehensive analysis of guidelines reveals differences in recommendations for anesthetics, surgical procedures, imaging modalities, and thromboembolic prophylaxis. Furthermore, a thorough discussion of strategic surgical planning is provided, covering aspects such as patient positioning, trocar placement, pneumoperitoneum generation, and thromboembolic risk management. The publication highlights that in order to maximize the results for both the mother and the fetus after nonobstetric surgery performed during pregnancy, a multidisciplinary approach and evidence-based decision-making are essential.

The Role of Preoperative Antibiotics in Surgical Site Infection (SSI) Rate after Class I/Clean Gynaecologic Surgery at an Academic Safety Net Hospital

OBJECTIVES

Examine whether preoperative antibiotics in class I/clean abdominal gynaecologic surgery decrease the incidence of surgical site infections (SSI).

METHODS

Retrospective cohort study at academic safety net hospital of patients undergoing class I laparoscopic or open gynaecologic surgery between November 2013 and September 2017. Performance improvement initiative to administer preoperative antibiotics to all surgical patients starting July 2016.

RESULTS

In total, 510 patients were included: 283 in the antibiotic group and 227 in the no-antibiotic group.

PRIMARY OUTCOME

incidence of SSI. Baseline characteristics were similar between groups once balanced by propensity score method. In unweighted analysis, incidence of SSI decreased from 9.3% (21/227) in the no-antibiotics group to 4.9% (14/283) in antibiotics group, but this was not statistically significant (odds ratio (OR) 0.51 CI 0.25-1.03, P = 0.0598). Following of inverse probability of treatment weighting adjustments in weighted analysis, incidence of SSI was found to be significantly lower in patients who received antibiotics compared to patients who did not receive antibiotics across entry types (4.6% vs. 9.8%, OR 0.45; CI 0.22-0.90, P = 0.023). Weighted analysis demonstrated in the exploratory laparotomy group patients who received antibiotics had a lower incidence of SSI compared to patients who did not receive antibiotics (5.1% vs. 18.7%, OR 0.23; CI 0.08-0.68, P = 0.008). In the laparoscopy group, there was no difference between groups (4.4% vs. 5.4%, OR 0.81; CI 0.3-2.16, P = 0.675).

CONCLUSIONS

There is limited literature on SSI prevention/preoperative antibiotic use in class I gynaecologic surgeries. This study demonstrates antibiotics in class I procedures decrease SSI rates, specifically in open procedures. There was a lack of demonstrated benefit in laparoscopy.

Recanalization of Proximal Fallopian Tube Obstruction in the Treatment of Infertility

Infertility affects approximately 15% of patients worldwide, with up to 40% of cases attributed to tubal disease, and up to 25% of those being proximal fallopian tube obstruction (FTO). Evaluation of tubal patency can be performed via laparoscopic chromopertubation, hysterosalpingography, or hysterosalpingo-contrast-sonography (HyCoSy). In patients with proximal tubal obstruction, fallopian tube recanalization (FTR) can result in up to 100% technical success rate with pregnancy rates of 12.8 to 51%. More pregnancies occur when oil-soluble contrast media are used versus water-soluble contrast media. Complications of FTR are rare and include tubal perforation, ectopic pregnancy, and pelvic infection. Reocclusion of fallopian tubes may occur in 20 to 50% of patients; however, FTR may be repeated in these cases. Overall, FTR is underutilized in the treatment of infertility secondary to proximal FTO and it can obviate costly and time-consuming assistive reproductive techniques such as in vitro fertilization in some patients, as well as decreasing physical and emotional stress.

Use of Prophylactic Antibiotics to Prevent Urinary Tract Infection After Urodynamic Testing and Cystoscopy in Women: A Practice Pattern Study

OBJECTIVES

To determine practice patterns of prescribing prophylactic antibiotics against urinary tract infection (UTI) for urodynamic studies (UDS) and outpatient cystoscopy in women.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional survey study was conducted of North American female pelvic medicine and reconstructive specialists (FPMRS).

METHODS

An online survey was used to assess prophylactic prescribing patterns of FPMRS specialists that perform UDS and outpatient cystoscopy. This survey was developed and then electronically disseminated through the American Urogynecologic Society to 699 eligible physicians.

RESULTS

A total of 138 surveys were completed. Approximately half of physicians did not prescribe any antibiotic prophylaxis for UDS or for cystoscopy (54% and 43%, respectively). For patients with perceived risk factors (recurrent urinary tract infections, immunosuppression, known neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction, indwelling catheter use, elevated post void residual/bladder outlet obstruction, genitourinary anomalies, and diabetes), 32% and 41% of physicians prescribed antibiotic prophylaxis for UDS and cystoscopy, respectively. A minority of physicians always prescribed antibiotics for UDS and cystoscopy (13% and 17%, respectively).

LIMITATIONS

The response rate was a limitation of the study, however, this rate is in keeping with other physician survey studies published within this subspecialty. Selection and response biases may have contributed to the results of this survey study.

CONCLUSION

There was no uniform approach to urinary tract infection prophylaxis for UDS and outpatient cystoscopy in women which reflects the lack of current guidelines and the low level of evidence on which they are based. This non-uniform practice calls for more research to better define an evidence-based standard of care.

Prophylactic antibiotics for preventing infection after continence surgery in women with stress urinary incontinence

BACKGROUND

Surgical options for treating stress urinary incontinence (SUI) are usually explored after conservative interventions have failed. Surgeries fall into two categories: traditional techniques (open surgery) and minimally invasive procedures, such as laparoscopic procedures, midurethral sling and injections with urethral bulking agents. Postsurgery infections, such as infections of the surgical site or urinary tract, are common complications. To minimise the risk of postoperative bacterial infections, prophylactic antibiotics may be given before or during surgery.  OBJECTIVES: To assess the effects of prophylactic antibiotics for preventing infection following continence surgery in women with stress urinary incontinence.  SEARCH METHODS: We searched the Cochrane Incontinence Specialised Register, which contains trials identified from CENTRAL, MEDLINE, MEDLINE In-Process, MEDLINE Epub Ahead of Print, CINAHL, ClinicalTrials.gov and WHO ICTRP; and handsearched journals and conference proceedings to 18 March 2021. We also searched the reference lists of relevant articles.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-RCTs assessing prophylactic antibiotics in women undergoing continence surgery to treat SUI.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors selected potentially eligible trials, extracted data and assessed risk of bias. We expressed results as risk ratios (RR) for dichotomous outcomes and as mean differences (MD) for continuous outcomes, both with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). We assessed the certainty of evidence using the GRADE approach.

MAIN RESULTS

We identified one quasi-RCT and two RCTs, involving a total of 390 women. One study performed retropubic urethropexy surgery requiring a transverse suprapubic incision, while the other two studies performed midurethral sling surgery. It should be noted that none of the included studies clearly specified the timing of outcome assessment. We are very uncertain whether prophylactic antibiotics (cefazolin) have an effect on surgical site infections (RR 0.56, 95% CI 0.03 to 12.35; 2 studies, 85 women; very low-certainty evidence) or urinary tract infections or bacteriuria (RR 0.84, 95% CI 0.05 to 13.24; 2 studies, 85 women; very low-certainty evidence). The effect of prophylactic antibiotics (cefazolin) on febrile morbidity is also uncertain (RR 0.08, 95% CI 0.00 to 1.29; 2 studies, 85 women; very low-certainty evidence). We are very uncertain whether prophylactic antibiotics (cefazolin) have any effect on mesh exposure (RR 0.32, 95% CI 0.01 to 7.61; 1 study, 59 women; very low-certainty evidence). None of the three included studies described the assessment of adverse events from antibiotic use, sepsis or bacteraemia in their reports.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Only limited data are available from the three included studies and, overall, the certainty of evidence was very low. Moreover, the three included studies evaluated different surgical procedures and dosages of antibiotic administration. Thus, there is insufficient evidence to support or refute the use of prophylactic antibiotics to prevent infection following anti-incontinence surgery. In addition, there were no data regarding adverse effects of prophylactic antibiotics. More RCTs are required.

Antibiotic prophylaxis for urodynamic testing in women: a systematic review

Introduction and hypothesis

Urinary tract infection is the most common complication after urodynamic studies (UDS). Practice guidelines recommend against antibiotic prophylaxis based on an outdated review of the literature, which advised on the premise of “a lack of good quality studies” and based on an assumed low incidence not consistently supported by the literature.

Objectives

This systematic review aims to update the assessment of the efficacy of antibiotic prophylaxis compared with placebo or no treatment for prevention of urinary tract infection in females over the age of 18 years undergoing UDS.

Methods

MEDLINE, EMBASE, COCHRANE, DISSERTATIONS, conference proceedings and clinical trial registries were searched for relevant randomized controlled trials. Two authors independently screened and selected articles, assessed these for quality according to Cochrane guidelines and extracted their data.

Results

A total of 2633 records were screened, identifying three relevant randomized controlled trials. The one study that was critically appraised as being the least likely biased showed a statistically significant effect of antibiotic prophylaxis in reducing bacteriuria post UDS in female patients. The other two studies included in the review did not. None of the studies included were powered to show a significant change in the incidence of urinary tract infection following UDS in female patients receiving antibiotic prophylaxis versus no prophylaxis.

Conclusions

Similar to the 2012 Cochrane review on this subject, this systematic review demonstrated that antibiotic prophylaxis may decrease bacteriuria in women post UDS; however, further research is required to assess its effect on urinary tract infections in this context.

Antibiotic prophylaxis for gynecologic cancer surgery

OBJECTIVES

The use of prophylactic antibiotics in elective gynecologic cancer surgery is essential. We aimed to establish the optimal duration of antibiotic administration to reduce the overuse of antibiotics in gynecologic cancer surgery.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We conducted a retrospective study based on the descriptive and statistical analysis of the clinical records of patients who underwent a radical hysterectomy or staging operation for gynecologic cancer between January 2014 and October 2015 at Busan Paik Hospital. Postoperative outcomes, such as surgical site infection (SSI), urinary tract infection (UTI), length of hospital stay, duration of urinary catheterization, and duration of surgical drainage, were compared between the antibiotic prophylaxis for 1-day and greater than 1-day groups.

RESULTS

A total of 139 patients were included in the study. There were 79 patients in the 1-day group (56.8%) and 60 patients in the >1-day (43.2%) group. The two groups were similar in terms of demographics, American Society of Anesthesiologists score, stage, surgical approach, and type of operation. Blood loss was smaller in the 1-day group than in the >1-day group (582.2 ± 278.3 cc vs. 795.9 ± 617.9 cc, P = 0.007). The average length of hospital stay was shorter in the 1-day group than in the >1-day group (10.8 ± 2.7 days vs. 11.8 ± 2.8 days, P = 0.039). The rate of SSI and UTI was not significantly different between the 1-day and >1-day groups (6.3% vs. 8.2% and 11.4% vs. 6.7%, respectively [P = 0.903 and P = 0.393]).

CONCLUSION

One-day first generation cephalosporin administration is appropriate for preventing post-surgical complications such as wound infections, UTIs, and vaginal cuff cellulitis in gynecologic cancer surgery.

Congenital Heart Disease and Women's Health Across the Life Span: Focus on Reproductive Issues

From adolescence to older age, women with congenital heart disease (CHD) face unique challenges. In this review we explore the ways in which CHD affects women's sexual and reproductive health and, in turn, how their sexual and reproductive history affects the course of their CHD. In adolescence, special attention must be paid to menstrual irregularities and concerns of developing sexuality and self-image. Discussions about sexuality and reproduction are an important part of transition planning and must be done with an awareness of the adolescent's developing understanding and maturity. Pregnancy imposes a hemodynamic load on the heart which may lead to cardiac, obstetric, and fetal/neonatal complications in women with CHD. Prepregnancy counselling must include an assessment of maternal and fetal risk according to several well developed models. Counselling should also include discussions about fertility and alternatives to pregnancy when appropriate. Recommendations for contraception must be made according to the patient's cardiac lesion. In caring for women with CHD during pregnancy, a multidisciplinary cardio-obstetrics team is recommended to optimize care. More research is needed into the long-term impact of pregnancy on the prognosis of patients with CHD. As women with CHD increasingly survive into old age, more attention will need to be directed toward the treatment of menopause and acquired heart disease in this population.