Antibiotic prophylaxis and the prevention of surgical site infection

Association Between Antibiotic Redosing Before Incision and Risk of Incisional Site Infection in Children With Appendicitis

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate whether redosing antibiotics within an hour of incision is associated with a reduction in incisional surgical site infection (iSSI) in children with appendicitis.

BACKGROUND

Existing data remain conflicting as to whether children with appendicitis receiving antibiotics at diagnosis benefit from antibiotic redosing before incision.

METHODS

This was a multicenter retrospective cohort study using data from the Pediatric National Surgical Quality Improvement Program augmented with antibiotic utilization and operative report data obtained though supplemental chart review. Children undergoing appendectomy at 14 hospitals participating in the Eastern Pediatric Surgery Network from July 2016 to June 2020 who received antibiotics upon diagnosis of appendicitis between 1 and 6 hours before incision were included. Multivariable logistic regression was used to compare odds of iSSI in those who were and were not redosed with antibiotics within 1 hour of incision, adjusting for patient demographics, disease severity, antibiotic agents, and hospital-level clustering of events.

RESULTS

A total of 3533 children from 14 hospitals were included. Overall, 46.5% were redosed (hospital range: 1.8%-94.4%, P <0.001) and iSSI rates were similar between groups [redosed: 1.2% vs non-redosed: 1.3%; odds ratio (OR) 0.84, (95%,CI, 0.39-1.83)]. In subgroup analyses, redosing was associated with lower iSSI rates when cefoxitin was used as the initial antibiotic (redosed: 1.0% vs nonredosed: 2.5%; OR: 0.38, (95% CI, 0.17-0.84)], but no benefit was found with other antibiotic regimens, longer periods between initial antibiotic administration and incision, or with increased disease severity.

CONCLUSIONS

Redosing of antibiotics within 1 hour of incision in children who received their initial dose within 6 hours of incision was not associated with reduction in risk of incisional site infection unless cefoxitin was used as the initial antibiotic.

Microbiology of fracture related infections

Fracture related infection remains a challenging complication that creates a heavy burden for orthopaedic trauma patients, their families, treating physicians and healthcare systems. Even current curative approaches (radical debridement, revision surgery and long-term antibiotics) often result in significant socioeconomic costs and the risk of life-long functional impairment to the patient. The prevalence of osteomyelitis due to trauma and surgical complications does not seem to be diminishing in our society and the emergence of antimicrobial resistance is a major health related concern with global relevance. Despite multi-drug resistant bacteria being on the rise universally, perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis in orthopaedic trauma care has only slightly changed in the last 25 years. Staphylococcus infections remain an increasing global concern, partially due to the resistance mechanisms developed by staphylococci to evade the host immune system and antibiotic treatment, and as such antibiotics are becoming increasingly ineffective. This paper will address fracture related infections in trauma patients, looking at the bacteriology of these infections, its clinical implications and evolving nature.

Surgical Antibiotic Prophylaxis in Children Undergoing Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: To establish the role of surgical antibiotic prophylaxis (SAP) in the prevention of surgical site infection (SSI) in children undergoing surgery. Design: A systematic review and meta-analysis of six databases: MEDLINE (PubMed), EMBASE, CINAHL Plus, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Scopus. Study Selection: Included studies (irrespective of design) compared outcomes in children undergoing surgery, aged 0 to 21 years who received SAP with those who did not, with SSI as an outcome, using the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) definitions for SSI. Data Extraction: Two independent reviewers applied eligibility criteria, assessed the risk of bias, and extracted data. Results: A total of six randomized control trials and 26 observational studies including 202,593 surgical procedures among 202,405 participants were included in the review. The pooled odds ratio of SSI was 1.20; (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.91-1.58) comparing those receiving SAP with those not receiving SAP, with moderate heterogeneity in effect size between studies (τ² = 0.246; χ² = 69.75; p < 0.001; I² = 57.0%). There was insufficient data on many factors known to be associated with SSI, such as cost, length of stay, re-admission, and re-operation; it was therefore not possible to perform subanalyses on these. Conclusions: This review and metanalysis did not find a preventive action of SAP against SSI, and our results suggest that SAP should not be used in surgical wound class (SWC) I procedures in children. However, considering the poor quality of included studies, the principal message of this study is in highlighting the absence of quality data to drive evidence-based decision-making in SSI prevention in children, and in advocating for more research in this field.

A Post-operative Masquerade: Simulation-based Scenario Challenging Clinical Clerks to Recognize an Atypical Presentation of Myocardial Infarction

Post-operative myocardial infarctions (MI) are a challenging diagnosis due to the alterations in the presenting complaint compared to an acute MI. Patients may be asymptomatic due to their anesthetics and sedatives from their operation which may create clinical confusion. As such, there is an increased risk for delayed administration of reperfusion therapies in this patient population which has shown to increase morbidity and mortality. It is anticipated that the difficulty of recognizing a post-operative MI would be exacerbated for clinical clerks due to their lack of clinical experience and overstimulation. Fortunately, the use of simulation-based learning has been proven to be a useful teaching tool to help clinical clerks manage medical problems in a controlled environment. This technical report describes a simulation case designed to enhance the recognition and response to a post-operative MI by a third-year clinical clerk. In this scenario, a 56-year-old male accountant presents with shortness of breath while recovering in the orthopaedic ward 12 hours following a total knee replacement (TKR). The clinical clerks are expected to conduct an independent follow-up prior to finishing their shift during which the patient begins complaining of shortness of breath. The clerk is required to order an electrocardiogram (ECG) for further analysis which reveals an anterior ST-segment elevation. Once recognized, a request for the crash cart and patient handover to the senior physician are expected.

Development of the Bacterial Spectrum and Antimicrobial Resistance in Surgical Site Infections of Trauma Patients

Background: While ubiquitously multi-resistant bacteria are on the rise, peri-operative antimicrobial prophylaxis in trauma and near-to-bone surgical procedures has only been changed slightly during the last 25 years. Recent clinical studies concerning the bacterial spectrum and efficacy of antimicrobial treatment in infected trauma surgical patients are rare. The aim of the study was analysis of the contemporary bacterial spectrum and its antimicrobial resistance including the assessment of the appropriateness of peri-operative antimicrobial prophylaxis with cefuroxime. Methods: Patients of a level-I academic trauma center who underwent open or arthroscopic surgery because of a recent trauma necessitating the use of bone-near metal implants were included in the study. All patients in whom a surgical site infection (SSI) had developed during six weeks post-operatively necessitating surgical debridement and had positive microbiologic culture results from an intra-operative surgical site swab were analyzed, retrospectively. In particular, age, gender, date and duration of surgical interventions, and patient's related risk factors were collected, and infecting agents and their minimum inhibitory concentration values for 34 selected antimicrobial agents were evaluated. An SSI occurring later than 6 weeks post-operatively and patients with chronic and septic wounds were excluded. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS^® (IBM, Armonk, NY). Results: There were 438 pathogens cultured in specimens from 303 enrolled patients (female = 140, male = 163). The most frequent pathogens were Staphylococcus aureus (27.1%), S. epidermidis (20.6%), Enterococcus faecalis (13.6%), Escherichia coli (5.1%), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (3.7%) accounting for 303 isolates. Of those, 89 (29.4%) were multi-resistant. Of the S. epidermidis isolates, 79.8% (n = 71) were resistant against Oxacillin and thus against most beta-lactam antibiotic agents. Altogether, only 44.1% of the infecting organisms were susceptible to cefuroxime, the antimicrobial agent most often being used for prophylactic purposes. Conclusion: Standardized antimicrobial prophylaxis with cephalosporins has to be reconsidered critically. Multi-resistant species such as S. epidermidis are an increasing challenge in trauma operations.

The impact of perioperative care on complications and short term outcome in ARM type rectovestibular fistula: An ARM-Net consortium study

BACKGROUND

The impact of perioperative care interventions on postreconstructive complications and short-term colorectal outcome in patients with anorectal malformation (ARM) type rectovestibular fistula is unknown.

METHODS

An ARM-Net consortium multicenter retrospective cohort study was performed including 165 patients with a rectovestibular fistula. Patient characteristics, perioperative care interventions, timing of reconstruction, postreconstructive complications and the colorectal outcome at one year of follow-up were registered.

RESULTS

Overall complications were seen in 26.8% of the patients, of which 41% were regarded major. Differences in presence of enterostomy, timing of reconstruction, mechanical bowel preparation, antibiotic prophylaxis and postoperative feeding regimen had no impact on the occurrence of overall complications. However, mechanical bowel preparation, antibiotic prophylaxis ≥48 h and postoperative nil by mouth showed a significant reduction in major complications. The lowest rate of major complications was found in the group having these three interventions combined (5.9%). Multivariate analyses did not show independent significant results of any of the perioperative care interventions owing to center-specific combinations. At one year follow-up, half of the patients experienced constipation and this was significantly higher among those with preoperative mechanical bowel preparation.

CONCLUSIONS

Differences in perioperative care interventions do not seem to impact the incidence of overall complications in a large cohort of European rectovestibular fistula-patients. Mechanical bowel preparation, antibiotic prophylaxis ≥48 h, and postoperative nil by mouth showed the least major complications. Independency could not be established owing to center-specific combinations of interventions.

TYPE OF STUDY

Treatment study.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

III.

A cross-sectional evaluation of outcomes of pediatric branchial cleft cyst excision

OBJECTIVE

To examine complications following pediatric branchial cleft cyst excision by surgical specialty, demographics, and comorbid conditions.

METHODS

A retrospective review of the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database was performed. Pediatric cases from January 1, 2015 through May 1, 2017 with a current procedural terminology code of 42810 (excision branchial cleft cyst or vestige, confined to skin and subcutaneous tissues) or 42815 (excision branchial cleft cyst, vestige, or fistula, extending beneath subcutaneous tissues and/or into the pharynx) were included. Statistical analysis was performed to assess associations between complications and surgical specialty, demographics, and comorbidities.

RESULTS

Of the 895 cases that met inclusion criteria, the median age was two years and there was an approximately equal number of males (46.8%) and females (53.2%). Forty-five patients (5.0%) experienced at least one 30-day complication, the most predominant of which was superficial surgical site infection. There was no statistically significant difference between complications and surgical specialty, complications and patient demographics, or complications and depth of excision. There was a statistically significant difference (p = 0.05) in the percentage of patients with a past medical history of developmental delay between those with at least one complication (11.1%) compared to those without any complications (4.2%).

CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE

Branchial cleft excision is a generally safe procedure across surgical specialties and patient demographics. There is an association between a history of developmental delay and 30-day postoperative complications.

Surgical site infection following elective nonspinal paediatric orthopaedic surgery: a prospective review

The aim of this study was to determine the rate of surgical site infection (SSI) and the factors that predispose to it in children undergoing nonspinal orthopaedic surgery. Over a 6-month period, 326 children who underwent 334 nonspinal elective orthopaedic surgical procedures were prospectively reviewed for the development of surgical site infections. A total of 14 sites became infected, with an overall infection rate of 4.19%. All the infections were superficial, and the only causative organism detected was Staphylococcus aureus. Operating times longer than 1 h and surgical wounds greater than 10 cm in length were positively associated with SSIs. Although there were differences between male and females, type of admission, the use of prophylactic antibiotics, degree of wound contamination and the grades of surgeons, these differences were not statistically significant. The results of this prospective study provide valuable information that was not previously available to the practicing paediatric orthopaedic surgeon.

Prophylactic antibiotics in soft-tissue procedures in children with cerebral palsy

PURPOSE

Data on the benefits of perioperative prophylactic antibiotics in the paediatric population are lacking. In this study, we aimed to assess the rate of infection after isolated soft-tissue procedures in patients with cerebral palsy with and without preoperative prophylactic antibiotics between 2009 and 2015.

METHODS

We reviewed the records of all children with cerebral palsy who underwent isolated soft-tissue procedures (on the upper and lower limb) at our hospital between 2009 and 2015. Children with at least 30-day postoperative follow-up were included. Children who had groin incisions were excluded.

RESULTS

Two groups were identified: the antibiotic group (77 children with 203 incisions and 343 procedures) had one surgical site infection; the no-antibiotic group (48 children with 102 incisions and 177 procedures) had no surgical site infections.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that the use of preoperative antibiotics does not change the rate of postoperative surgical site infections.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III therapeutic study.

Practical Considerations in Pediatric Surgery

The care of pediatric patients requires special considerations that are often not addressed in the literature. Relatively straightforward tasks such as clinical evaluation, antibiotic use, splinting, wound closure, and care of simple burns become complicated in the pediatric population for several reasons. The authors seek to demystify some of these topics using the senior author's years of clinical experience treating pediatric patients by giving practical advice and general considerations when treating children.

Deep Wound Infections After Pediatric Scoliosis Surgery

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective clinical and radiographic review.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the characteristics of deep wound infection, as well as the potential factors that correlate to surgical site infection (SSI) in spine deformity surgery.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Preventing SSIs in pediatric spinal deformity surgery is a crucial task. Recent data have shown that antibiotic-loaded allograft and properly timed preoperative antibiotic administration decrease SSIs. However, there remain controversies over the appropriate preoperative antibiotic selection.

METHODS

We reviewed 851 spinal deformity surgeries that took place at a single institution from 2006 to 2010. In particular, preoperative and postoperative characteristics of the deep wound infections were evaluated.

RESULTS

Twenty-four patients had SSIs. The mean age at surgery in the infected cohort was 14 years, mean length of surgery was 8 hours, and median estimated blood loss was 2,482 mL (%EBV: 66%). Approximately 67% of the infected patients had bowel/bladder incontinence, and 71% had prolonged intravenous access perioperatively. According to culture results, the most effective antibiotic to treat the infections was vancomycin. Preoperative antibiotics were administered within 30 minutes of incision (hospital protocol) in only 12.5% (p = .001) and within 1 hour of incision in 54% of the cases. The wound status within 3 days of surgery is as follows: 38% intact, 29% significant wound drainage, and 33% wound dehiscence. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and oxacillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis were associated with intact wounds, whereas gram-negative pathogens were seen in dehisced or draining wounds (p < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

The authors showed that their cohort of patients with infection had a high rate of draining wounds, MRSA infections, administration of antibiotics more than 1 hour ahead of incision, and prolonged need for intravenous access after surgery. Efforts to mitigate these associations by using vancomycin prophylactically, doing meticulous wound closure to prevent drainage or dehiscence, and delivering antibiotics at an optimal time ahead of incision may lead to a decrease in infection rates in pediatric spinal surgery. Future prospective studies will be needed to validate this.

Update on infection control challenges in special pediatric populations

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Compared with adults, neonatal and pediatric populations are especially vulnerable patients who have specific diagnostic and therapeutic differences; therefore, the standard infection control practices designed for adults are sometimes not effective or need modifications to work. This review focuses on the recent literature addressing the challenges and successes in preventing healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) in children.

RECENT FINDINGS

Improving the implementation of pediatric versions of preventive bundles focusing on proper catheter insertion and maintenance, mainly as a part of a larger multimodal strategy, is effective in reducing the central-line-associated bloodstream infections in neonatal and pediatric populations including oncology patients. Appropriate feeding, antimicrobial stewardship, and infection control measures should be combined in reducing necrotizing enterocolitis in preterm neonates. Implementing a multimodal bundle strategy adapted for pediatric population is successful in preventing ventilator-associated pneumonia. Appropriate use of antimicrobial prophylaxis remains the cornerstone for preventing surgical-site infections irrespective of age, with few additional effective adjuvant preventive practices in specific pediatric patients.

SUMMARY

Several evidence-based practices are effective in reducing the incidence and the impact of HAIs in children; however, proper implementation remains a challenge. Additionally, several adult preventive practices are still unestablished in children and need further thorough examination.

Efficacy and safety profile of antibiotic prophylaxis usage in clean and clean-contaminated plastic and reconstructive surgery: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND

There is no consensus with regard to antibiotic prophylaxis usage in clean and clean-contaminated plastic and reconstructive surgery. This meta-analysis sought to assess the efficacy and safety of antibiotic prophylaxis and to determine appropriate duration of prophylaxis.

METHODS

An English language literature search was conducted using PubMed and the Cochrane Collaboration for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that evaluate the use of antibiotic prophylaxis to prevent postoperative surgical site infection (SSI) in patients undergoing clean and clean-contaminated plastic and reconstructive surgery. Data from intention-to-treat analyses were used where available. For the dichotomous data, results for each study were odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) and combined for meta-analysis using the Mantel-Haenszel method or the DerSimonian and Laird method. Study quality was critically appraised by 2 reviewers using established criteria. STATA version 12 was used for meta-analyses.

RESULTS

Twelve RCTs involving 2395 patients were included, of which 8 trials were considered to be of high methodological quality. Effect of antibiotic prophylaxis in plastic and reconstructive surgery was found favorable over placebo in SSI prevention (13 studies; 2449 participants; OR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.4-0.7; P < 0.01) and the other wound complication (OWC) prevention (9 studies; 1843 participants; OR, 0.36; 95% CI, 0.15-0.84; P < 0.02). Subgroup analysis performed according to surgical wound type or the duration of prophylaxis did not modify the results except for the OWC with short-term antibiotic treatment. Compared with short-term antibiotic prophylaxis, long-term administration showed no evidence of a difference in risk of SSI (7 studies; 1012 participants; OR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.63-1.55; P < 0.95), OWC (5 studies; 824 participants; OR, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.46-1.86; P < 0.82), and adverse event relative to antibiotic administration (3 studies; 653 participants; OR, 0.23; 95% CI, 0.01-4.92; P < 0.35).

CONCLUSIONS

This meta-analysis of RCTs provides evidence supporting that antibiotic prophylaxis reduced postoperative SSI in clean plastic surgeries with high-risk factors and clean-contaminated plastic surgeries. Besides, a short-course administration regimen seemed to be of adequate efficacy and safety. High-quality prospective trials on larger scale are needed to further confirm these findings.

Selection of an optimal antiseptic solution for intraoperative irrigation: an in vitro study

BACKGROUND

With increasing bacterial antibiotic resistance and an increased infection risk due to more complicated surgical procedures and patient populations, prevention of surgical infection is of paramount importance. Intraoperative irrigation with an antiseptic solution could provide an effective way to reduce postoperative infection rates. Although numerous studies have been conducted on the bactericidal or cytotoxic characteristics of antiseptics, the combination of these characteristics for intraoperative application has not been addressed.

METHODS

Bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus and S. epidermidis) and human cells were exposed to polyhexanide, hydrogen peroxide, octenidine dihydrochloride, povidone-iodine, and chlorhexidine digluconate at various dilutions for two minutes. Bactericidal properties were calculated by means of the quantitative suspension method. The cytotoxic effect on human fibroblasts and mesenchymal stromal cells was determined by a WST-1 metabolic activity assay.

RESULTS

All of the antiseptics except for polyhexanide were bactericidal and cytotoxic at the commercially available concentrations. When diluted, only povidone-iodine was bactericidal at a concentration at which some cell viability remained. The other antiseptics tested showed no cellular survival at the minimal bactericidal concentration.

CONCLUSIONS

Povidone-iodine diluted to a concentration of 1.3 g/L could be the optimal antiseptic for intraoperative irrigation. This should be established by future clinical studies.

Effects of using intravenous antibiotic only versus local intrawound vancomycin antibiotic powder application in addition to intravenous antibiotics on postoperative infection in spine surgery in 907 patients

STUDY DESIGN

A prospective randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the ability of local vancomycin powder in controlling postoperative infection in spine surgery.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Despite improvements through the use of prophylactic systemic antibiotics, surgical site infections remain a significant problem in spine surgical procedures. Various retrospective and prospective studies have reported the efficacy of local application of vancomycin powder in reducing the infection in animal and human studies. However, there were no randomized control trials that reported on its efficacy.

METHODS

Prospective randomized controls of 907 patients with various spinal pathologies were treated surgically during a period of 18 months. The control group received standard systemic prophylaxis only, whereas the treatment group received vancomycin powder in the surgical wound in addition to systemic prophylaxis. Patient demographics, comorbidities, level of spinal pathology, estimated blood loss, nutritional status, and hemoglobin were recorded. Incidence of infection was the primary outcome evaluated.

RESULTS

There were 8 infections (1.68%) in the control group (6 instrumented and 2 noninstrumented, 6 deep and 2 superficial) with bacteria cultured in 3 (1 Escherichia coli and 2 Staphylococcus aureus). In the treatment group, 7 infections (1.61%) were observed (6 instrumented and 1 noninstrumented surgical procedures, 6 deep and 1 superficial) with bacteria cultured in 3 (1 Staphylococcus aureus and 2 Klebsiella). No adverse effects were observed from the use of vancomycin powder. Statistically no significant difference was seen in infection rate between the treatment group and control group.

CONCLUSION

The local application of vancomycin powder in surgical wounds did not significantly reduce the incidence of infection in patients with surgically treated spinal pathologies. The use of vancomycin powder may not be effective when incidence of infection is low.

Prevention of sternal wound infection in pediatric cardiac surgery: a protocolized approach

BACKGROUND

Sternal wound infections (SWIs) are a costly complication for children after cardiac surgery, increasing morbidity, mortality, and financial cost. There are no pediatric guidelines to reduce the incidence of SWI in this vulnerable population.

METHODS

A quality improvement, multidisciplinary team was formed, and a protocol to prevent SWI was developed. A prospective review of patients who underwent pediatric cardiac surgery was conducted over a two-year period to follow adherence to the protocol and incidence of SWI. The Centers for Disease Control definitions for surgical site infections were used to determine the depth and presence of infection.

RESULTS

Three hundred and eight children <18 years of age had sternotomies during the study period. There was a reduction in all SWI between the first and second years of the study (odds ratio [OR] = 0.35; confidence interval [CI] 95% 0.12-1.01; P = .059). Delayed sternal closure (DSC) was associated with increased risk of SWI (OR = 5.4; CI 95% 2.13-14.9; P ≤ .001). Institution of a protocol in patients with DSC was associated with decreased infections during the second year (first year: n = 7 (14%), second year: n = 2 (4%), P = .14).

CONCLUSIONS

Institution of a protocol was associated with a decreased number of infections in children. A multicenter study of a bundled protocol approach to SWI prevention is needed. Children with DSC had a significantly higher risk of developing a wound infection. Initiating strategies to reduce SWI with a focus on children with DSC may result in improved overall infection rates.

Perioperative antibiotic use for spinal surgery procedures in US children's hospitals

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study using the Pediatric Health Information System database.

OBJECTIVE

To describe longitudinal patterns of prophylactic antibiotic use and determinants of antibiotic choice for spinal fusion surgical procedures performed at US children's hospitals.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Surgical site infections (SSIs) account for a significant proportion of post-spinal surgery complications, particularly among children with complex conditions such as neuromuscular disease. Antimicrobial prophylaxis with intravenous cefazolin or cefuroxime has been a standard practice, but postoperative infections caused by organisms resistant to these antibiotics are increasing in prevalence. Studies describing the choice of antibiotic prophylaxis for pediatric spinal surgery are lacking.

METHODS

We included children 6 months to 18 years of age discharged from 37 US children's hospitals between January 1, 2006, and June 30, 2009, with (1) an International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) procedure code indicating a spinal fusion and (2) combinations of diagnosis codes indicating adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) (n = 5617) or neuromuscular scoliosis (NMS) (n = 3633). After identifying antibiotics ordered on the operative day, we described variation in broad-spectrum antibiotic use over time and measured associations between patient/surgery characteristics and antibiotic choice.

RESULTS

Prophylactic antibiotic choice varied across hospitals and over time. Broad-spectrum antibiotics were used in 37% of AIS and 52% of NMS operations. Seven (19%) hospitals used broad-spectrum coverage for more 80% of all cases. For NMS procedures, broad-spectrum antibiotic use was associated with patient characteristics known to be associated with high SSI risk. Use of vancomycin and broad gram-negative agents increased over time.

CONCLUSION

Broad-spectrum antimicrobial prophylaxis varied across hospitals and was often associated with known risk factors for SSI. These results highlight the need for future studies comparing the effectiveness of various prophylaxis strategies, particularly in high-risk subgroups. This research can inform the development of best practice for SSI prevention in spinal fusion procedures.

Surgical site infections in paediatric otolaryngology operative procedures

OBJECTIVE

An assessment of the rate of surgical site infections associated with elective paediatric otolaryngology surgical procedures.

METHODS

Prospective data was collected for a 3-week period for all children undergoing surgery where either mucosa or skin was breached. The parents of the children were requested to complete a questionnaire at 30 days after the operation.

RESULTS

Data was collected on 80 consecutive cases. The majority of cases were admitted on the day of the procedure. The procedures included adenotonsillectomy (24), grommets (12), cochlear implantation (6), bone-anchored hearing aid (2), submandibular gland excision (1), branchial sinus excision (1), cystic hygroma excision (3), nasal glioma excision (1), microlaryngobronchoscopy (13), tracheostomy (3) and other procedures (14). Nearly half the cases had more than one operation done at the same time. 26/80 (32.5%) patients had a temporary or permanent implant inserted at the time of operation (grommet, bone-anchored hearing aid, cochlear implant). 25/80 (31%) operative fields were classed as clean and 55/80 (68.7%) as clean contaminated operations. The duration of the operation varied from 6 min to 142 min. Hospital antibiotic protocol was adhered to in 69/80 (86.3%) cases but not in 11/80 cases. In our series, 3/80 (3.7%) patients had an infection in the postoperative period.

CONCLUSIONS

Surgical site infections do occur at an appreciable rate in paediatric otolaryngology. With the potential for serious consequences, reduction in the risk of surgical site infections is important.