Prospective Study of Infection Risk Factors in 988 Lung Resections

Development of a Nomogram for Predicting Surgical Site Infection in Patients with Resected Lung Neoplasm Undergoing Minimally Invasive Surgery

Background: Predictive models are necessary to target high-risk populations and provide precision interventions for patients with lung neoplasm who suffer from surgical site infections (SSI). Patients and Methods: This case control study included patients with lung neoplasm who underwent minimally invasive surgeries (MIS). Logistic regression was used to generate the prediction model of SSI, and a nomogram was created. A receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve was used to examine the predictive value of the model. Results: A total of 151 patients with SSI were included, and 604 patients were randomly selected among the patients without SSI (ratio 4:1). Male gender (odds ratio [OR], 2.55; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.57-4.15; p < 0.001), age >60 years (OR, 2.10; 95% CI, 1.29-3.44, p = 0.003), operation time >60 minutes (all categories, p < 0.05), treatments for diabetes mellitus (OR, 2.96; 95% CI, 1.75-4.98l; p < 0.001), and best forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV₁)/forced vital capacity (FVC; OR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.94-0.99; p = 0.008) were independently associated with SSI. The model based on these variables showed an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.813 for predicting SSI. Conclusions: A nomogram predictive model was successfully established for predicting SSI in patients receiving MIS, with good predictive value.

Surgical Site Infections Are Associated With Higher Blood Loss and Open Access in General Thoracic Practice

Background: Surgical site infections (SSIs) are the most costly and second most frequent healthcare-associated infections in the Western world. They are responsible for higher postoperative mortality and morbidity rates and longer hospital stays. The aim of this study is to analyze which factors are associated with SSI in a modern general thoracic practice.

Methods: Data were collected from our department's quality database. Consecutive patients operated between January 2014 and December 2018 were included in this retrospective study.

Results: A total of 2430 procedures were included. SSIs were reported in 37 cases (1.5%). The majority of operations were video-assisted (64.6%). We observed a shift toward video-assisted thoracic surgery in the subgroup of anatomical resections during the study period (2014: 26.7%, 2018: 69.3%). The multivariate regression analysis showed that blood loss >100 ml (p = 0.029, HR 2.70) and open surgery (p = 0.032, HR 2.37) are independent risk factors for SSI. The latter was higher in open surgery than in video-assisted thoracic procedures (p < 0.001). In the subgroup of anatomical resection, we found the same correlation (p = 0.043). SSIs are also associated with significantly longer mean hospital stays (17.7 vs. 7.8 days, p < 0.001).

Conclusion: As SSIs represent higher postoperative morbidity and costs, efforts should be made to maintain their rate as low as possible. In terms of prevention of SSIs, video-assisted thoracic surgery should be favored over open surgery whenever possible.

Surgical site infections after lung resection: a prospective study of risk factors in 1,091 consecutive patients

Background

To assess incidence and risk factors of surgical site infections (SSI) (wound infection, pneumonia, empyema) in a monocentric series of patients undergoing lung resection over a decade.

Methods

All patients undergoing lung resection at our institution in 2006-2015 [wedge resection, n=579; lobectomy, n=472 (12% after chemo/radiotherapy); pneumonectomy, n=40 (47% after chemo/radiotherapy)], were prospectively enrolled. Perioperative SSI risk factors were recorded: age, gender, blood haemoglobin, lymphocyte count, serum albumin, forced expiratory volume in 1 second percentage (FEV1%) of predicted, antibiotic prophylaxis, length of stay, diabetes, malignancy, steroid therapy, induction chemo/radiotherapy, resection in 2006-2010/2011-2015, urgent/elective procedure, videothoracoscopic/open approach, resection type, operative time. SSIs diagnosed within 30 days from surgery were prospectively recorded and association with risk factors was evaluated.

Results

Of the 1,091 resected patients [median age, 65 (range, 13-91) years; male, 74%; malignancy, 65%], 124 (11.4%) developed one or more SSI. Wound infection, pneumonia and empyema rates were respectively 3.2%, 8.3% and 1.9%, stable through the decade. Overall infection rates after wedge resection, lobectomy and pneumonectomy were 4.8%, 17.4% and 35.0%, respectively. Thirty-day postoperative mortality was 0.6%; of the 7 deaths, 4 were causally related with SSI. Multivariable analysis showed that male gender, diabetes, preoperative steroids, induction chemo/radiotherapy, missed antibiotic prophylaxis and resection type were independent risk factors for overall SSI.

Conclusions

SSI rates after lung resection were stable over the decade. The observed 11.4% frequency of SSI indicates that postoperative infections remain a relevant issue and a predominant cause of mortality after lung surgery. Focusing on SSI risk factors that are perioperatively modifiable may improve surgical results.

Identifying the Infection Control Areas Requiring Modifications in Thoracic Surgery Units: Results of a Two-Year Surveillance of Surgical Site Infections in Hospitals in Southern Poland

BACKGROUND

Surgical site infection (SSI) is considered to be a priority in infection control. The objective of this study is the analysis of results of active targeted surveillance conducted over a two-year period in the Department of Thoracic Surgery at the Pulmonology and Thoracic Surgery Center in Bystra, in southern Poland.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The retrospective analysis was carried out on the basis of results of active monitoring of SSI in the 45-bed Department of Thoracic Surgery at the Pulmonology and Thoracic Surgery Center in Bystra between April 1, 2014 and April 30, 2016. Surgical site infections were identified based on the definitions of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) taking into account the time of symptom onset, specifically, whether the symptoms occurred within 30 d after the surgical procedure. Detection of SSI relied on daily inspection of incisions by a trained nurse, analysis of medical and nursing entries in the computer system, and analysis of all results of microbiologic tests taken in the unit and in the operating room.

RESULTS

In the study period, data were collected regarding 1,387 treatment procedures meeting the registration criteria. Forty cases of SSI were detected yielding an incidence rate of 3%. Most cases (55%) were found in the course of hospitalization and 45% were detected after the patient's discharge. The SSIs were classified as follows: superficial, 37.5%; deep infections, 7.5%; and organ/space infection, 55%. Among patients who were diagnosed with SSI, most were male (77.5%). For patients with an American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score I-II the incidence rate was 2%; ASA score III or more, 3.7%. The incidence rate varied from 0.3% in clean surgical site to 6.5% in clean-contaminated site.

CONCLUSIONS

The study validated the usefulness of targeted surveillance in monitoring SSIs in patients hospitalized in thoracic surgery departments. Surgical site infection surveillance identified areas of care requiring modifications, namely, organization of post-discharge and microbiologic diagnostics of infection cases.

Chest tube tip culture as a predictor of postoperative infection in lung cancer operations

BACKGROUND

Postoperative infection is one of the most frequently observed complications after lung resection and should be addressed in perioperative management. This study evaluated the clinical significance of chest tube tip culture relevant to postoperative infection.

METHODS

From September 2002 to December 2011, 1,438 patients who underwent lung cancer operations in Shizuoka Cancer Center Hospital were evaluated. Postoperative infections, including surgical site infection, postoperative pneumonia, and postoperative empyema without fistula, were defined as those occurring within 30 days of thoracotomy.

RESULTS

Postoperative infections developed in 84 of the 1,438 patients (5.8%), including 42 (2.9%) with surgical site infection, 36 (2.5%) with pneumonia, and 13 (0.9%) with empyema. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value of chest tube tip culture were 23%, 98%, and 41.3%, respectively. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the independent risk factors associated with the development of postoperative infections were coexisting diabetes mellitus and positive chest tube tip culture. Positive chest tube tip culture was the only independent risk factor associated with surgical site infection. The independent risk factors associated with postoperative pneumonia were age 70 years or older, coexisting diabetes mellitus, and positive chest tube tip culture. Finally, positive chest tube tip culture was the only independent risk factor associated with postoperative empyema.

CONCLUSIONS

Positive chest tube tip culture strongly predicts postoperative infections in lung cancer surgery and necessitates careful observation in the perioperative period.

Effectiveness of non-cardiac preoperative testing in non-cardiac elective surgery: a systematic review

Elective surgery is usually preceded by preoperative diagnostics to minimize risk. The results are assumed to elicit preventive measures or even cancellation of surgery. Moreover, physicians perform preoperative tests as a baseline to detect subsequent changes. This systematic review aims to explore whether preoperative testing leads to changes in management or reduces perioperative mortality or morbidity in unselected patients undergoing elective, non-cardiac surgery. We systematically searched all relevant databases from January 2001 to February 2011 for studies investigating the relationship between preoperative diagnostics and perioperative outcome. Our methodology was based on the manual of the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Health Technology Assessment, the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) handbook, and the PRISMA statement for reporting systematic reviews. One hundred and one of the 25 281 publications retrieved met our inclusion criteria. Three test grid studies used a randomized controlled design and 98 studies used an observational design. The test grid studies show that in cataract surgery and ambulatory surgery, there are no significant differences between patients with indicated preoperative testing and no testing regarding perioperative outcome. The observational studies do not provide valid evidence that preoperative testing is beneficial in healthy adults undergoing non-cardiac surgery. There is no evidence derived from high-quality studies that supports routine preoperative testing in healthy adults undergoing non-cardiac surgery. Testing according to pathological findings in a patient's medical history or physical examination seems justified, although the evidence is scarce. High-quality studies, especially large randomized controlled trials, are needed to explore the effectiveness of indicated preoperative testing.

Selective Neurogenic Blockade and Perioperative Immune Reactivity in Patients Undergoing Lung Resection

OBJECTIVE: This double-blind, prospective, randomized, controlled trial examined the effects of thoracic epidural block and intravenous clonidine and opioid treatment on the postoperative Th1/Th2 cytokine ratio after lung surgery. The primary endpoint was the interferon γ (IFN-γ; Th1 cytokine)/interleukin 4 (IL-4; Th2 cytokine) ratio. Secondary endpoints were reductions in pain and incidence of pneumonia. METHODS: Sixty patients were randomized into three groups to receive remifentanil intravenously (remifentanil group, n = 20), remifentanil and clonidine intravenously (clonidine group, n = 20), or ropivacaine epidurally (ropivacaine group, n = 20). Pain was assessed using a numerical rating scale (NRS). Cytokines were measured using a cytometric bead array. RESULTS: Patients in the ropivacaine group (thoracic epidural block) had a significantly lower IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio at the end of surgery than those in the remifentanil group and clonidine group. There were no significant between-group differences in the IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio at other time-points. There were no differences in NRS scores at any time-point. No patient developed pneumonia. CONCLUSION: Intraoperative thoracic epidural block decreased the IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio immediately after lung surgery, indicating less inflammatory stimulation during surgery.

Feasibility and safety of early removal of incisional dressings following thoracic surgery

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the feasibility and safety of early dressing removal of clean wounds following thoracotomy.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

A total of 230 patients (127 males, mean age 55.6 ± 16.7 years) were randomly divided into study and control groups. In the study group the cotton gauze dressing was removed 48 h after the surgery, whereas in the control group the dressing was kept on for 7-8 days until the removal of skin sutures. The infection and healing of the wounds were examined, and patients were followed up for 30 days.

RESULTS

There was no statistically significant difference in age, sex, smoking rates, concurrent illnesses and operational characteristics between the study and control groups (p > 0.05). The wound infection rate in the study and control groups was 6 (5.2%) and 7 patients (6.1%), respectively (p = 0.775). Two patients (1.7%) from the study group and 1 (0.9%, p = 0.561) from the control group had partial wound approximation by day 7. Surrounding skin integrity was normal in 106 (92.2%) of the study group and 107 (93.0%) of the control group patients by postoperative day 7 (p = 0.801).

CONCLUSION

Removal of wound dressing 48 h after thoracic surgery was not associated with an increased risk of surgical site infection. Hence the early removal of wound dressing did not appear to have an adverse impact on wound healing.

The association of preoperative anemia and perioperative allogeneic blood transfusion with the risk of surgical site infection

BACKGROUND

The purpose of the study was to investigate allogeneic blood transfusion (ABT) and preoperative anemia as risk factors for surgical site infection (SSI).

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

A prospective, observational cohort of 5873 consecutive general surgical procedures at Basel University Hospital was analyzed to determine the relationship between perioperative ABT and preoperative anemia and the incidence of SSI. ABT was defined as transfusion of leukoreduced red blood cells during surgery and anemia as hemoglobin concentration of less than 120 g/L before surgery. Surgical wounds and resulting infections were assessed to Centers for Disease Control standards.

RESULTS

The overall SSI rate was 4.8% (284 of 5873). In univariable logistic regression analyses, perioperative ABT (crude odds ratio [OR], 2.93; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.1 to 4.0; p < 0.001) and preoperative anemia (crude OR, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.0 to 1.7; p = 0.037) were significantly associated with an increased odds of SSI. After adjusting for 13 characteristics of the patient and the procedure in multivariable analyses, associations were substantially reduced for ABT (OR, 1.25; 95% CI, 0.8 to 1.9; p = 0.310; OR, 1.07; 95% CI, 0.6 to 2.0; p = 0.817 for 1-2 blood units and >or=3 blood units, respectively) and anemia (OR, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.7 to 1.2; p = 0.530). Duration of surgery was the main confounding variable.

CONCLUSION

Our findings point to important confounding factors and strengthen existing doubts on leukoreduced ABT during general surgery and preoperative anemia as risk factors for SSIs.

High-frequency percussive ventilation improves perioperatively clinical evolution in pulmonary resection

OBJECTIVE

During thoracotomy, positive end-expiratory pressure is applied to the dependent lung and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) inflates the nondependent lung to avoid hypoxemia. These methods do not allow the removal of produced secretions. We hypothesized that high-frequency percussive ventilation(HFPV) can improve both conditions and reduce hospital length of stay in these patients.

DESIGN

Randomized prospective study.

SETTING

University Hospital.

PATIENTS

Fifty-three consecutive patients undergoing elective pulmonary partial resection were enrolled. Nine were excluded because of surgical reasons.

INTERVENTIONS

The nondependent lung was ventilated with HFPV in 22 patients and other 22 received CPAP. In both groups,the dependent lung was ventilated with continuous mechanical ventilation.

MEASUREMENT AND MAIN RESULTS

Cardiocirculatory variables and blood gas analysis were measured during surgery. Postoperatively,all patients underwent chest physiotherapy, and SpO2,body temperature, the amount of sputum produced, and chest radiography were recorded. Before nondependent lung re-expansion,HFPV patients presented higher PaO2 than CPAP group (p = 0.020). The amount of secretions was higher in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients treated with HFPV than in those who received CPAP (199 and 64 mL, respectively, p = 0.028). HFPV increased by 5.28 times the chance of sputum production by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients (chi(2) = 46.66, p < 0.0001; odds ratio = 5.28). A patient treated with HFPV had a 3.14-fold larger chance of being discharged earlier than a CPAP-treated subject (likelihood ratio = 11.5, p = 0.0007).

CONCLUSIONS

Under the present settings, HFPV improved oxygenation in one-lung ventilation during pulmonary resection. Postoperatively, it decreased the length of stay and increased the removal of secretions in comparison with CPAP.

Is video-assisted thoracic surgery lobectomy better? Quality of life considerations

Video-assisted thoracic surgery lobectomy has controversial advantages over traditional open surgical approaches. Subjective concerns such as pain, dyspnea, physical functioning, and overall satisfaction generally favor VATS but vary depending on survey timing. Independence, a major quality of life component, favors video-assisted thoracic surgery because fewer objective hospital and discharge resources are needed because pulmonary function, activity level, muscle strength, and walking capacity are better. Video-assisted thoracic surgery often hastens return to work and facilitates adjuvant chemotherapy or subsequent urgent surgical procedures. Video-assisted thoracic surgery-related quality of life benefits are amplified by advanced age (or other frailties) and reduced by advanced cancer stage or comorbid illness.

Surgical site infection: the host factor

More than 30 million surgical procedures are performed annually in the United States, and surgical site infections (SSIs) remain a major postoperative complication. Although bacteria contaminate all surgical wounds, not all wounds become infected. In most cases, the host response eradicates the microbes. The patient's (ie, host's) responsiveness, therefore, is an important variable in the equation of factors that influence the rate of infection. Optimizing the patient's physiological condition can help prevent SSIs. Initiatives that show promise in reducing SSI rates include use of supplemental oxygen, maintenance of core body temperature, and rigorous management of blood sugar. Perioperative nurses play an important role as the patient's infection control advocate.

A new paradigm for staging pedicle screw–based spinal procedures: rationale, feasibility, safety, and efficacy

Object

The aims of this study were to present the rationale for and the evolution of a staged, two-procedure paradigm for spinal surgery requiring pedicle screw instrumentation, and to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of the technique.

Methods

The rationale for the new algorithm is presented for consideration in the form of unproven hypotheses subject to verification by subsequent studies. The first stage of the two-staged algorithm, performed in an interventional radiology (IR) setting, involves percutaneous placement of either headless pedicle screws or K-wire fragment placeholders of the trajectory for pedicle screws. The second stage, performed days or weeks later, involves open surgical completion of instrumentation placement and other surgical objectives. The techniques for IR percutaneous K-wire fragment and percutaneous screw placement evolved over the duration of the study.

Instrumentation was placed in 126 pedicles in 25 patients. Efficacy was equated to the accuracy of screw placement, which was evaluated using computed tomography (CT). Algorithms incorporating correction for metal artifact were developed to determine deviation of the screws and K-wire fragments from proper position. Over 1500 measurements were made to evaluate K-wire fragment and screw position in the 116 instrumented pedicles for which CT data were available.

Results

Accuracy of placement (relative to both cortical and pedicle breaches or to only pedicle breaches) was 98 to 100% for K-wire fragments, 96 to 98% for screws following K-wire fragments, and 100% for percutaneous screws. The only adverse consequence of pedicle screw placement by this method was one infection that occurred 8 months postoperatively.

Conclusions

The staged, two-procedure paradigm for pedicle screw placement proved, within the limits of this study, to be feasible, safe, and effective; therefore, the unproven rationale behind the new paradigm merits further evaluation in a larger cohort of patients with randomized, matched controls.

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery is more favorable than thoracotomy for resection of clinical stage I non-small cell lung cancer

BACKGROUND

Lobectomy for patients with clinical stage I non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) can be performed by thoracotomy or by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). We compared the operative characteristics and postoperative course for patients with clinical stage I NSCLC who underwent lobectomy by VATS or thoracotomy.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the charts of all patients undergoing lobectomy for clinical stage I NSCLC from January 1, 1998, through June 30, 2005.

RESULTS

We performed 147 lobectomies (88 thoracotomy, 59 VATS) in 147 patients with clinical stage I NSCLC. Patient demographics were similar between groups; however, VATS patients had more hypertension (p = 0.0114), chronic renal insufficiency (p = 0.0479), and previous malignancies (p = 0.0086). The two groups did not differ in pathologic stage, tumor size, histologic results, or number of positive nodes. More total nodes were identified in thoracotomy patients (p = 0.0001), and they had a shorter intensive care unit stay (p = 0.0224). VATS patients had significantly less postoperative pneumonia (p = 0.0023). VATS patients trended toward fewer chest tube days and a shorter hospital length of stay. The two groups did not differ in operative time, blood loss, atrial fibrillation, or number of ventilator days. Median survival between the cohorts was similar (>7.9 years thoracotomy versus >4.6 years VATS, log-rank p = 0.6939).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients undergoing VATS lobectomy for clinical stage I NSCLC, despite having more comorbidities, had fewer postoperative complications. The approaches are equivalent in operative time, blood loss, length of stay, and survival rate. Compared with thoracotomy, VATS lobectomy for patients with clinical stage I NSCLC appears to be a less morbid operation.