The measurement of wound infection after breast surgery

A Comparative Analysis of Surgical Wound Infection Methods: Predictive Values of the CDC, ASEPSIS, and Southampton Scoring Systems in Evaluating Breast Reconstruction Surgical Site Infections

Infection is the most significant complication in breast reconstruction surgery. While the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is the most prevalent tool for surgical site infection (SSI) diagnosis, ASEPSIS and Southampton scoring methods have been speculated to be more sensitive. The ASEPSIS scoring system previously demonstrated much better interrater reliability than the CDC. We sought to assess the predictive value of various wound scoring methods in breast reconstruction SSIs. A retrospective analysis of all single-institution breast reconstruction infections from January 2013 to June 2016 was performed. Patients' postoperative wound-related complications were collected. Southampton, CDC, and modified ASEPSIS scores-extended to 30 postoperative days-were calculated. Relative predictive values for implant-based reconstruction were evaluated. Among the 22 reviewed cases, ASEPSIS scores greater than 30 resulted in a more than 50% rate of implant-based breast reconstruction failure. There was a significant positive correlation between ASEPSIS score and failure rate (P = .022). A Southampton classification of B-minor complication (60% failure)-had a greater associative risk of reconstruction failure than a classification of C-major complication (23% failure)-or classification of D-major hematoma (0% failure). The CDC score had no predictive value of success versus failure of reconstruction. While the CDC criteria and Southampton scoring systems demonstrated little clinical use, the ASEPSIS scoring system shows substantial predictive value for breast reconstruction SSIs. New procedure protocols should be implemented to require detailed surgical notes including the proportion of the wounds affected by inflammatory responses to allow for easier wound score calculation by these alternate scoring systems.

Complete axillary dissection without drainage for the surgical treatment of breast cancer: a randomized clinical trial

OBJECTIVE:

This randomized clinical trial evaluated the possibility of not draining the axilla following axillary dissection.

METHODS:

The study included 240 breast cancer patients who underwent axillary dissection as part of conservative treatment. The patients were divided into two groups depending on whether or not they were subjected to axillary drainage. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01267552.

RESULTS:

The median volume of fluid aspirated was significantly lower in the axillary drainage group (0.00 ml; 0.00 - 270.00) compared to the no drain group (522.50 ml; 130.00 - 1148.75). The median number of aspirations performed during conservative breast cancer treatment was significantly lower in the drainage group (0.5; 0.0 - 4.0) compared to the no drain group (5.0; 3.0 - 7.0). The total volume of serous fluid produced (the volume of fluid obtained from drainage added to the volume of aspirated fluid) was similar in the two groups. Regarding complications, two cases (2.4%) of wound dehiscence occurred in the drainage group compared to 13 cases (13.5%) in the group in which drainage was not performed, with this difference being statistically significant. Rates of infection, necrosis and hematoma were similar in both groups.

CONCLUSION:

Safety rates were similar in both study groups; hence, axillary dissection can feasibly be performed without drainage. However, more needle aspirations could be required, and there could be more cases of wound dehiscence in patients who do not undergo auxiliary drainage.

Incidence of Surgical Site Infection Following Mastectomy With and Without Immediate Reconstruction Using Private Insurer Claims Data

OBJECTIVE

The National Healthcare Safety Network classifies breast operations as clean procedures with an expected 1%-2% surgical site infection (SSI) incidence. We assessed differences in SSI incidence following mastectomy with and without immediate reconstruction in a large, geographically diverse population.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

PATIENTS

Commercially insured women aged 18-64 years with ICD-9-CM procedure or CPT-4 codes for mastectomy from January 1, 2004 through December 31, 2011 METHODS: Incident SSIs within 180 days after surgery were identified by ICD-9-CM diagnosis codes. The incidences of SSI after mastectomy with and without immediate reconstruction were compared using the χ2 test.

RESULTS

From 2004 to 2011, 18,696 mastectomy procedures among 18,085 women were identified, with immediate reconstruction in 10,836 procedures (58%). The incidence of SSI within 180 days following mastectomy with or without reconstruction was 8.1% (1,520 of 18,696). In total, 49% of SSIs were identified within 30 days post-mastectomy, 24.5% were identified 31-60 days post-mastectomy, 10.5% were identified 61-90 days post-mastectomy, and 15.7% were identified 91-180 days post-mastectomy. The incidences of SSI were 5.0% (395 of 7,860) after mastectomy only, 10.3% (848 of 8,217) after mastectomy plus implant, 10.7% (207 of 1,942) after mastectomy plus flap, and 10.3% (70 of 677) after mastectomy plus flap and implant (P<.001). The SSI risk was higher after bilateral compared with unilateral mastectomy with immediate reconstruction (11.4% vs 9.4%, P=.001) than without (6.1% vs 4.7%, P=.021) immediate reconstruction.

CONCLUSIONS

SSI incidence was twice that after mastectomy with immediate reconstruction than after mastectomy alone. Only 49% of SSIs were coded within 30 days after operation. Our results suggest that stratification by procedure type facilitates comparison of SSI rates after breast operations between facilities.

Association of breast tumour bed seroma with post-operative complications and late normal tissue toxicity: results from the Cambridge Breast IMRT trial

AIMS

There are two main surgical techniques for managing the tumour bed after breast cancer excision. Firstly, closing the defect by suturing the cavity walls together and secondly leaving the tumour bed open thus allowing seroma fluid to collect. There is debate regarding which technique is preferable, as it has been reported that a post-operative seroma increase post-operative infection rates and late normal tissue side effects.

METHODS

Data from 648 patients who participated in the Cambridge Breast IMRT trial were used. Seromas were identified on axial CT images at the time of radiotherapy planning and graded as not visible/subtle or easily visible. An association was sought between the presence of seroma and the development of post-operative infection, post-operative haematoma and 2 and 5 years normal tissue toxicity (assessed using serial photographs, clinical assessment and self assessment questionnaire).

RESULTS

The presence of easily visible seroma was associated with increased risk of post-operative infection (OR = 1.80; p = 0.004) and post-operative haematoma (OR = 2.1; p = 0.02). Breast seroma was an independent risk factor for whole breast induration and tumour bed induration at 2 and 5 years. The presence of breast seroma was also associated with inferior overall cosmesis at 5 years. There was no significant association between the presence of seroma and the development of either breast shrinkage or breast pain.

CONCLUSION

The presence of seroma at the time of radiotherapy planning is associated with increased rates of post-operative infection and haematoma. It is also an independent risk factor for late normal tissue toxicity. This study suggests that full thickness surgical closure may be desirable for patients undergoing breast conservation and radiotherapy.

Postoperative wound complications and systemic recurrence in breast cancer

Many factors involved in wound healing can stimulate tumour growth in the experimental setting. This study examined the relationship between wound complications and the development of systemic recurrence after treatment of primary breast cancer. One thousand and sixty-five patients diagnosed with operable primary invasive breast cancer between 1994 and 2001 were assessed for development of systemic recurrence according to whether or not a wound complication occurred after surgery, with a median follow-up of 54 months (range 15–119). There were 93 wound complications (9%). There was a statistically significant greater risk of developing systemic recurrence in patients with wound problems than those without (hazard ratio (HR) 2.87; 95% CI: 1.97, 4.18; P<0.0001). This remained in a multivariate analysis after adjustment for case mix variables, including Nottingham Prognostic Index (NPI) and oestrogen–progesterone receptor status (HR: 2.52; 95% CI: 1.69, 3.77; P<0.0001). In the good prognostic NPI group, 4 out of 27 patients (15%) with wound problems vs 11 out of 334 (3%) without wound problems developed systemic recurrence. The corresponding figures were 10 out of 35 (29%) vs 48 out of 412 (12 %) in the moderate prognostic group and 18 out of 29 (62%) vs 75 out of 199 (38%) in the poor prognostic group. In 29 patients NPI could not be calculated. Smokers at the time of diagnosis were more likely to develop metastatic disease than the non-smokers (HR: 1.50; 95% CI: 1.04, 2.15; P=0.03) after adjustment for other factors. The results suggest that patients with wound complications at primary surgery have increased rates of systemic recurrence of breast cancer.

Association between operative closure type and acute infection, local recurrence, and disease surveillance in patients undergoing breast conserving therapy for early-stage breast cancer

BACKGROUND

This study investigates the effect of full-thickness versus superficial closure of the breast parenchyma on the likelihood of subsequent infection and local recurrence after lumpectomy for early-stage breast cancer. In patients undergoing breast-conserving therapy (BCT), operative closure technique has been largely influenced by expected cosmetic outcome. However, the common practice of promoting postoperative fluid collection raises concerns about potential bacterial colonization, tumor cell migration, and impaired post-BCT surveillance.

METHODS

From 1985 through 2004, operative closure technique was determined in 516 breasts in 580 women with stage T0-2N0-1 breast cancers undergoing BCT. Medical records were reviewed to determine closure technique, incidence of postoperative infection, and local recurrence characteristics.

RESULTS

Median follow-up was 6.4 years from the completion of radiotherapy. The rate of acute infection was higher with the superficial closure technique: 11.7% (27/230) versus 5.2% (15/286) (P = .009). In T1-2 patients, there was no difference in the rate of local recurrence based on closure type: 5.6% (11/195) versus 3.5% (8/231) (P = .348). On multivariate analysis, acute infections and margin status were associated with increased local recurrence. Superficial closure was associated with larger recurrences less likely to be detected on mammogram. In stage T0-T2 patients, 80% of recurrent tumors after superficial closures were greater than 1 cm compared with no recurrent tumors greater than 1 cm after full-thickness closures (P = .005). In patients with superficial closure, 29% of recurrences in the tumor bed were initially detected on mammogram versus 100% in patients with deep closure (P = .003).

CONCLUSIONS

Closure method was not predictive of local recurrence. Our findings regarding infection and post-treatment surveillance suggest, however, that full-thickness closure may be the preferred technique in BCT patients.

Completely Autologous Platelet Gel in Breast Reduction Surgery: A Blinded, Randomized, Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND

The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of topical application of completely autologous platelet gel during breast surgery to reduce postoperative wound drainage. An increasing number of surgical centers are using tissue sealants to reduce postoperative drainage and improve surgical outcomes. However, there is a paucity of randomized, double-blind, controlled trials assessing the efficacy of these agents.

METHODS

The authors conducted a within-patient, randomized, patient- and assessor-blinded, controlled trial assessing the use of completely autologous platelet gel in 111 patients undergoing bilateral reduction mammaplasty. Patients were randomized to receive the gel applied to the left or right breast after hemostasis was achieved; the other breast received no treatment. The primary outcome was the difference in wound drainage over 24 hours. Secondary outcomes included subjective and objective assessments of pain and wound healing.

RESULTS

No statistically significant differences in the drainage, level of pain, size of open areas, clinical appearance, degree of scar pliability, or scar erythema were noted.

CONCLUSION

The authors' results do not support the use of completely autologous platelet gel to improve outcomes after reduction mammaplasty.

Randomized clinical trial of single-dose antibiotic prophylaxis for non-reconstructive breast surgery

Background

The aim of this randomized clinical trial was to determine whether a single intravenous dose of 2 g flucloxacillin could prevent wound infection after primary non-reconstructive breast surgery.

Methods

The study included 618 patients undergoing local excision (n = 490), mastectomy (n = 107) or microdochectomy (n = 21). Patients were randomized to receive either a single dose of flucloxacillin immediately after the induction of anaesthesia or no intervention. Wound morbidity was monitored by an independent research nurse for 42 days after surgery.

Results

The incidence of wound infection was similar in the two groups: 10 of 311 (3·2 per cent) in the flucloxacillin group and 14 of 307 (4·6 per cent) in the control group (χ2 = 0·75, P = 0·387; relative risk 0·71, 95 per cent confidence interval 0·32 to 1·53). The groups also had similar wound scores and rates of moderate or severe cellulitis. Wound infection presented a median of 16 days after surgery.

Conclusion

The administration of a single dose of flucloxacillin failed to reduce the rate of wound infection after non-reconstructive breast surgery.