Convalescent phase outpatient parenteral antiinfective therapy for children with complicated appendicitis

The Risk of Adhesive Bowel Obstruction in Children With Appendicitis: A Systematic Review

OBJECTIVE

Complicated appendicitis is associated with a higher risk of postoperative complications, including adhesive bowel obstruction. The aim of this meta-analysis is to investigate the difference in rates of postoperative bowel obstruction in paediatric patients with complicated versus simple appendicitis and whether this is influenced by the surgical approach.

METHODS

A systematic literature search following PRISMA guidelines was conducted using MEDLINE, Embase and Cochrane Library for studies that analysed incidence of adhesive bowel obstruction in paediatric patients after appendicectomy. Studies from 1998 to 2022 were included in analysis. The study protocol was registered on PROSPERO (ID CRD42022309769).

RESULTS

Pooled analysis of 6 studies with low risk of bias and adequate follow up periods, considering 58,962 cases of appendicectomy, revealed complex appendicitis was associated with a near two-fold increase in incidence of SBO (pooled odds ratio 2.02 (95% CI 1.35-2.69)). Interestingly, a similar pooled analysis of 10 studies, considering 62,433 cases of appendicectomy, revealed no significant difference between open and laparoscopic management of complex appendicitis (pooled odds ratio 0.93 (95% CI 0.24 to 1.62)).

CONCLUSION

Complex appendicitis is associated with a two-fold increase in the rates of adhesive bowel obstruction. Whilst there are cosmetic advantages of a laparoscopic approach, surgical expertise should be favoured in decision making relating to surgical approach (laparoscopic versus open) as the evidence for a laparoscopic approach reducing risks of adhesive bowel obstruction is not convincing.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level II.

Impact of expanding a paediatric OPAT programme with an antimicrobial stewardship intervention

BACKGROUND

As treatment out of hospital with outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) increases, so too does the risk for patients of being less visible, with potential for suboptimal care.

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to compare pre-expansion and post-expansion (1) successful completion, complications and (2) the impact of an OPAT-specific antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) intervention to mitigate inappropriate antibiotic prescribing.

DESIGN

A prospective longitudinal study during two consecutive 12-month periods: period A (1 August 2012 to 31 July 2013) and period B (1 August 2013 to 31 July 2014).

SETTING

The Hospital-in-the-Home (HITH) programme at The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne.

PARTICIPANTS

All patients who received OPAT during the study period.

INTERVENTIONS

Between the two periods, the programme expanded from 16 to 32 patients/day. To coincide with this, a combined AMS intervention was introduced: (1) OPAT-specific guidelines and (2) active review of OPAT prescriptions and input by Paediatric Infectious Diseases.

MAIN OUTCOMES

Successful completion of OPAT, OPAT-related complications, readmission, length of stay and antibiotic appropriateness.

RESULTS

Over 2 years, 646 patients (47% female, median age 7 years) were treated via OPAT for 754 episodes. Patient episodes increased from 254 in period A to 500 in period B, with proportional increases in infants under 1 month and immunocompromised patients. OPAT was successfully completed in 245/251 (98%) versus 473/482 (98%) (OR 1.8, 95% CI 0.7 to 4.5, p=0.3). OPAT-related complications remained low: intravenous catheter-associated complications 16/138 (12%) versus 41/414 (10%), and antibiotic-associated complications 0/254 (0%) versus 2/500 (0.4%). Despite the increase in activity, with the AMS intervention, overall appropriate antibiotic prescribing remained high: 71% versus 76%. Inappropriately long durations reduced from 30/312 (10%) to 37/617 (6%) (OR 0.6, 95% CI 0.4 to 0.99, p=0.04), and median number of days on broad-spectrum antibiotics from 11 (IQR 8-24.5) to 8 (IQR 5-11).

CONCLUSION

During a period of substantial expansion, we maintained clinical outcomes. A modest AMS intervention reduced some but not all aspects of inappropriate antibiotic prescribing.

OPAT: proof of concept in a peripheral Belgian hospital after review of the literature

Since its introduction in the 1970s in the United States, outpatient parenteral antibiotic/antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) has been adopted internationally for long-term intravenous (IV) treatment of stable infectious diseases. The aim is to provide a safe and successful completion of IV antimicrobial treatment at the ambulatory care center or at home without complications and costs associated with hospitalization. OPAT implementation has been accelerated by progress in vascular access devices, newly available antibiotics, the emphasis on cost-savings, as well as an improved patient comfort and a reduced incidence of health care associated infections with a similar outcome. OPAT utilization is supported by an extensive published experience and guidelines of the British Society of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy and the Infectious Diseases Society of America for adults as well as for children. Despite these recommendations and its widespread adoption, in Belgium OPAT is only fully reimbursed and established for cystic fibrosis patients. Possible explanations for this unpopularity include physician unfamiliarity and a lack of uniform funding arrangements with higher costs for the patient. This article aims to briefly review benefits, risks, indications, financial impact for supporting OPAT in a non-university hospital as standard of care. Our experience with OPAT at the ambulatory care center of our hospital and its subsequent recent introduction in the home setting is discussed.

The Surgical Infection Society Revised Guidelines on the Management of Intra-Abdominal Infection

BACKGROUND

Previous evidence-based guidelines on the management of intra-abdominal infection (IAI) were published by the Surgical Infection Society (SIS) in 1992, 2002, and 2010. At the time the most recent guideline was released, the plan was to update the guideline every five years to ensure the timeliness and appropriateness of the recommendations.

METHODS

Based on the previous guidelines, the task force outlined a number of topics related to the treatment of patients with IAI and then developed key questions on these various topics. All questions were approached using general and specific literature searches, focusing on articles and other information published since 2008. These publications and additional materials published before 2008 were reviewed by the task force as a whole or by individual subgroups as to relevance to individual questions. Recommendations were developed by a process of iterative consensus, with all task force members voting to accept or reject each recommendation. Grading was based on the GRADE (Grades of Recommendation Assessment, Development, and Evaluation) system; the quality of the evidence was graded as high, moderate, or weak, and the strength of the recommendation was graded as strong or weak. Review of the document was performed by members of the SIS who were not on the task force. After responses were made to all critiques, the document was approved as an official guideline of the SIS by the Executive Council.

RESULTS

This guideline summarizes the current recommendations developed by the task force on the treatment of patients who have IAI. Evidence-based recommendations have been made regarding risk assessment in individual patients; source control; the timing, selection, and duration of antimicrobial therapy; and suggested approaches to patients who fail initial therapy. Additional recommendations related to the treatment of pediatric patients with IAI have been included.

SUMMARY

The current recommendations of the SIS regarding the treatment of patients with IAI are provided in this guideline.

Good practice recommendations for paediatric outpatient parenteral antibiotic therapy (p-OPAT) in the UK: a consensus statement

There is compelling evidence to support the rationale for managing children on intravenous antimicrobial therapy at home whenever possible, including parent and patient satisfaction, psychological well-being, return to school/employment, reductions in healthcare-associated infection and cost savings. As a joint collaboration between the BSAC and the British Paediatric Allergy, Immunity and Infection Group, we have developed good practice recommendations to highlight good clinical practice and governance within paediatric outpatient parenteral antibiotic therapy (p-OPAT) services across the UK. These guidelines provide a practical approach for safely delivering a p-OPAT service in both secondary care and tertiary care settings, in terms of the roles and responsibilities of members of the p-OPAT team, the structure required to deliver the service, identifying patients and pathologies that are suitable for p-OPAT, ensuring appropriate vascular access, antimicrobial choice and delivery and the clinical governance aspects of delivering a p-OPAT service. The process of writing a business case to support the introduction of a p-OPAT service is also addressed.

Susceptibility to antibiotics of aerobic bacteria isolated from community acquired secondary peritonitis in children: therapeutic guidelines might not always fit with and everyday experience

Appendicitis is a frequent clinical condition in normal children that may be complicated by community-acquired secondary peritonitis (CASP). We evaluated the potential efficacy of different drugs for initial treatment of this condition, as recommended by recent Consensus Conference and Guidelines for paediatric patients. Susceptibility to ampicillin-sulbactam, ertapenem, gentamycin, piperacillin, piperacillin-tazobactam, vancomycin, and teicoplanin was evaluated according to EUCST 2012 recommendations in aerobic bacteria isolated from peritoneal fluid in CASP diagnosed from 2005 to 2011 at 'Istituto Giannina Gaslini', Genoa, Italy. A total of 114 strains were analysed: 83 E. coli, 15 P. aeruginosa, 6 Enterococci, and 10 other Gram-negatives. Resistance to ampicillin-sulbactam was detected in 37% of strains, while ertapenem showed a potential resistance of 13% (all P. aeruginosa strains). However, the combination of these drugs with gentamicin would have been increased the efficacy of the treatment to 99 and 100%, respectively. Resistance to piperacillin-tazobactam was 3%, while no strain was resistant to meropenem. Our data suggest that monotherapy with ampicillin-sulbactam or ertapenem for community-acquired secondary peritonitis would present a non-negligible rate of failure, but the addition of gentamycin to these drugs could reset to zero this risk. On the contrary, monotherapy with piperacillin-tazobactam or meropenem is highly effective.

Characteristics and outcomes of outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy at an academic children's hospital

BACKGROUND

Use of outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) in pediatrics is widespread and may be increasing. Recent data quantifying use and characteristics of pediatric OPAT are lacking.

METHODS

To evaluate the number of children receiving OPAT each year and their associated characteristics and outcomes, we conducted a retrospective review of all patients discharged with OPAT from the Mayo Clinic Children's Hospital between August 1, 2010 and December 31, 2011.

RESULTS

During the study period, there were 126 pediatric hospital discharges with OPAT (2.5% of all discharges). OPAT was used most commonly to treat bone and joint (21%), bloodstream (15%), intra-abdominal (13%) and soft tissue (9%) infections. A positive culture or serology result was found in 86 (68%) OPAT courses. The most frequently used antibiotics were ceftriaxone (17%), cefazolin (16%) and cefepime (13%). The median duration of OPAT was 12 days. Thirty-six courses (29%) resulted in catheter- or antibiotic-associated complications. Weekly laboratory monitoring was more common when OPAT was managed by the infectious disease service (88%) versus other services (20%). Among 123 courses with follow-up, 109 (89%) resulted in cure, and 13 (11%) were treatment failures.

CONCLUSION

At our children's hospital, 2.5% of hospitalized patients were discharged with OPAT. In one-third of OPAT courses children developed catheter- or antibiotic-associated complications. Opportunities to increase the role of pediatric infectious disease in OPAT initiation and management should be explored.

Diagnosis and management of complicated intra-abdominal infection in adults and children: guidelines by the Surgical Infection Society and the Infectious Diseases Society of America

Evidence-based guidelines for managing patients with intra-abdominal infection were prepared by an Expert Panel of the Surgical Infection Society and the Infectious Diseases Society of America. These updated guidelines replace those previously published in 2002 and 2003. The guidelines are intended for treating patients who either have these infections or may be at risk for them. New information, based on publications from the period 2003-2008, is incorporated into this guideline document. The panel has also added recommendations for managing intra-abdominal infection in children, particularly where such management differs from that of adults; for appendicitis in patients of all ages; and for necrotizing enterocolitis in neonates.

Diagnosis and Management of Complicated Intra-abdominal Infection in Adults and Children: Guidelines by the Surgical Infection Society and the Infectious Diseases Society of America

Evidence-based guidelines for managing patients with intra-abdominal infection were prepared by an Expert Panel of the Surgical Infection Society and the Infectious Diseases Society of America. These updated guidelines replace those previously published in 2002 and 2003. The guidelines are intended for treating patients who either have these infections or may be at risk for them. New information, based on publications from the period 2003–2008, is incorporated into this guideline document. The panel has also added recommendations for managing intra-abdominal infection in children, particularly where such management differs from that of adults; for appendicitis in patients of all ages; and for necrotizing enterocolitis in neonates.

O processo de recuperação da criança após a alta hospitalar: revisão integrativa

OBJETIVO: Identificar o conhecimento disponível a respeito do processo de recuperação da criança hospitalizada e de sua família após a alta. MÉTODOS: Revisão integrativa da literatura realizada em bases de dados, de âmbito nacional e internacional, com abordagem qualitativa dos dados. RESULTADOS: Os 16 artigos selecionados pertencem a periódicos internacionais, foram publicados entre 1990 a 2005 e permitiram a identificação dos seguintes temas: Manifestações biopsicossociais da criança e da família. Fatores relacionados às manifestações biopsicossociais da criança e da família; Benefícios da alta precoce da criança e Necessidades de informação e apoio. CONCLUSÕES: As intervenções voltadas à criança e à família devem ser iniciadas ainda na hospitalização, a fim de melhorar sua capacidade de enfrentamento. Há necessidade de aprimorar as pesquisas sobre essa temática nos países em desenvolvimento incluindo a perspectiva da família como unidade.

Safety profile of meropenem: an updated review of over 6,000 patients treated with meropenem

Meropenem is a broad-spectrum carbapenem antibacterial with potent antimicrobial activity against a broad range of Gram-negative, Gram-positive and anaerobic bacteria. The second parenteral carbapenem to be introduced worldwide, meropenem has been in clinical use since 1994. Two previous safety reviews have established that meropenem has a favourable and acceptable safety profile. This new review was conducted after the approval of meropenem in the US in 2005 for the treatment of patients with complicated skin and skin-structure infections, in addition to the previously approved indications of intra-abdominal infections and paediatric bacterial meningitis. The analysis includes the clinical trial data from the previous safety reviews, updated with expanded experience across a number of serious bacterial infections, including a large international study in patients with skin or skin-structure infections and further experience in patients with intra-abdominal infections and bacterial meningitis. A total of 6154 patients with 6308 meropenem exposures were compared with 4483 patients treated with comparator agents (4593 exposures), and the paediatric population base for which safety data are available has doubled to over 1000 patients. The data presented reinforce the favourable safety profile of meropenem. In general, the incidence and pattern of adverse events occurring with meropenem were similar to those of the first carbapenem, imipenem/cilastatin, and to those of the cephalosporin- and clindamycin-based regimens to which it had been compared. The most common adverse events reported for meropenem were diarrhoea (2.5%), rash (1.4%) and nausea/vomiting (1.2%). No adverse event occurred in more than 3% of patient exposures to meropenem, indicating a low overall frequency of adverse events as well as excellent gastrointestinal tolerability. Furthermore, no unexpected adverse events were identified, and the very low incidence of seizures in patients with meningitis was not considered to be drug related. In infections other than meningitis, the incidence of seizures considered by investigators to be related to meropenem treatment was 0.07%. In the new studies that updated the earlier safety data, no new cases of drug-related seizure were reported for any treatment or patient group (meningitis/non-meningitis infections). In conclusion, meropenem is well tolerated and has good CNS and gastrointestinal tolerability when used for the treatment of serious bacterial infections in a wide range of adult and paediatric patient populations.

Predictors of efficacy and health resource utilization in treatment of complicated intra-abdominal infections: evidence for pooled clinical studies comparing tigecycline with imipenem-cilastatin

BACKGROUND

Duration of intravenous (IV) treatment, surgical/radiologic interventions for infection control, and hospital length of stay (LOS) are important cost considerations in complicated intra-abdominal infections (cIAIs).

METHODS

Data were pooled from two multinational, double-blind studies conducted in hospitalized adults with cIAIs who were randomized (1:1) to receive tigecycline (100 mg IV initial dose then 50 mg IV every 12 h) or imipenem-cilastatin (500 mg IV every 6 h) for 5 to 14 days in order to assess tigecycline safety and efficacy. This report focuses on developing predictors of cure and health care resource utilization, including the need for repeat surgical/radiologic interventions, duration of IV antibiotic therapy, and hospital LOS. Multiple regression models were applied for each of the above outcomes, incorporating both baseline and on-treatment potential covariates. Logistic modeling was used for categorical outcomes (cure; repeat surgical/radiologic interventions) and least squares modeling for continuous outcomes (duration of IV antibiotic therapy; LOS). Stepwise selection was used to retain only those predictors found to be significant (p < 0.05) independent risk factors.

RESULTS

The most common causative pathogen was Escherichia coli (63.0%), with 63.3% of the patients exhibiting polymicrobial infections. The most common cIAI diagnosis was complicated appendicitis (51.9%). Lack of clinical cure (+ 6.1 days; p < 0.0001), perforation of the intestine (+3.7 days; p < 0.0001), an Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) score >15 (+3.1 days; p=0.039), abnormal plasma sodium concentration (+3.7 days; p=0.026), and repeat surgical/radiologic intervention (+2.2 days; p=0.0097) were identified as key risk factors for longer LOS. Inadequate source control was associated with reduced odds of cure, longer IV treatment duration (+1.5 days; p=0.007), and longer LOS. The treatment groups did not differ in terms of LOS, IV treatment duration, or clinical cure.

CONCLUSION

Tigecycline was similar to imipenem-cilastatin in terms of both efficacy and health resource utilization. Risk factors identified in this study for both outcome measures are offered as support for guiding clinical practice.

Current management of appendicitis

Appendicitis is the most common surgical disease of the abdomen in children. Pediatric appendicitis varies considerably in its clinical presentation, contributing to delay in diagnosis and increased morbidity. The methods of diagnosis and treatment of appendicitis also vary significantly among clinicians and medical centers according to the patient's clinical status, the medical center's capabilities, and the physician's experience and technical expertise. Recent trends include the increased use of radiologic imaging, minimally invasive and nonoperative treatments, shorter hospital stays, and home antibiotic therapy. Little consensus exists regarding many aspects of the care of the child with complicated appendicitis. This article examines the most debated aspects of the diagnosis and management of the diseased pediatric appendix.

Minimum postoperative antibiotic duration in advanced appendicitis in children: a review

The suitable duration of antibiotic use following appendectomy for advanced appendicitis in children is still debated. A systematic review was performed, including published experimental and observational data of antibiotic use in children who had undergone appendectomy for advanced appendicitis. Data were extracted and analyzed according to predefined criteria. Twenty-eight studies were selected that included 2,284 patients. There was no consistency among the protocols regarding length of antibiotic use, discharge criteria, or use of home antibiotics following discharge. Limiting duration of antibiotic use to 3 days did not appear to be associated with higher rates of intraabdominal abscess or wound infection. In the absence of higher-level evidence, shortening of antibiotic regimens following surgery for pediatric complicated appendicitis appears to be safe.

Carbapenems in pediatrics

Antimicrobial resistance is increasing among bacterial pathogens. In particular, organisms producing extended spectrum beta-lactamase enzymes (ESBLs) and AmpC chromosomal beta-lactamase enzymes are resistant to third generation cephalosporins and pose a formidable challenge in the management of seriously ill patients. Carbapenems are a class of broad-spectrum antibiotics with stability against ESBL and AmpC chromosomal beta-lactamases. They are well tolerated by patients. This review will examine the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of two carbapenems imipenem and meropenem and discuss their clinical use in children. References are limited to the English language and extend back to 1980. Sources include computerized databases such as MEDLINE searched using PubMed, and bibliographies of recent articles and books. Approximately 50% of the articles initially reviewed are included in the bibliography. Carbapenems are efficacious in the treatment of a variety of bacterial infections including meningitis, pneumonia, intraabdominal infections, bone, joint and urinary tract infections. The broad spectrum activity and comparatively low toxicity of carbapenems make them valuable therapeutic agents in the treatment of seriously ill patients with bacterial infections. These agents should be used judiciously in order to minimize the risk for development of carbapenem-resistant pathogens.