Bacteria of preoperative urinary tract infections contaminate the surgical fields and develop surgical site infections in urological operations

ESCMID/EUCIC clinical practice guidelines on perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis in patients colonized by multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria before surgery

SCOPE

The aim of the guidelines is to provide recommendations on perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis (PAP) in adult inpatients who are carriers of multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (MDR-GNB) before surgery.

METHODS

These evidence-based guidelines were developed after a systematic review of published studies on PAP targeting the following MDR-GNB: extended-spectrum cephalosporin-resistant Enterobacterales, carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE), aminoglycoside-resistant Enterobacterales, fluoroquinolone-resistant Enterobacterales, cotrimoxazole-resistant Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB), extremely drug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa, colistin-resistant Gram-negative bacteria, and pan-drug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. The critical outcomes were the occurrence of surgical site infections (SSIs) caused by any bacteria and/or by the colonizing MDR-GNB, and SSI-attributable mortality. Important outcomes included the occurrence of any type of postsurgical infectious complication, all-cause mortality, and adverse events of PAP, including development of resistance to targeted (culture-based) PAP after surgery and incidence of Clostridioides difficile infections. The last search of all databases was performed until April 30, 2022. The level of evidence and strength of each recommendation were defined according to the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach. Consensus of a multidisciplinary expert panel was reached for the final list of recommendations. Antimicrobial stewardship considerations were included in the recommendation development.

RECOMMENDATIONS

The guideline panel reviewed the evidence, per bacteria, of the risk of SSIs in patients colonized with MDR-GNB before surgery and critically appraised the existing studies. Significant knowledge gaps were identified, and most questions were addressed by observational studies. Moderate to high risk of bias was identified in the retrieved studies, and the majority of the recommendations were supported by low level of evidence. The panel conditionally recommends rectal screening and targeted PAP for fluoroquinolone-resistant Enterobacterales before transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy and for extended-spectrum cephalosporin-resistant Enterobacterales in patients undergoing colorectal surgery and solid organ transplantation. Screening for CRE and CRAB is suggested before transplant surgery after assessment of the local epidemiology. Careful consideration of the laboratory workload and involvement of antimicrobial stewardship teams before implementing the screening procedures or performing changes in PAP are warranted. High-quality prospective studies to assess the impact of PAP among CRE and CRAB carriers performing high-risk surgeries are advocated. Future well-designed clinical trials should assess the effectiveness of targeted PAP, including the monitoring of MDR-GNB colonization through postoperative cultures using European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing clinical breakpoints.

Determination of risk factors associated with surgical site infection in patients undergoing preperitoneal pelvic packing for unstable pelvic fracture

Background

Several recent studies have shown that preperitoneal pelvic packing (PPP) effectively produces hemostasis in patients with unstable pelvic fractures. However, few studies have examined the rate of surgical site infections (SSIs) in patients undergoing PPP following an unstable pelvic fracture. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate factors associated with SSI in such patients.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the medical charts of 188 patients who developed hemorrhagic shock due to pelvic fracture between April 2012 and May 2021. Forty-four patients were enrolled in this study.

Results

SSI occurred in 15 of 44 patients (34.1%). The SSIs occurred more frequently in cases of repacking during the second-look surgery (0 vs. 4 [26.7%], P=0.010) and combined bladder-urethra injury (1 [3.4%] vs. 4 [26.7%], P=0.039). The incidence of SSIs was not significantly different between patients undergoing depacking within or after 48 hours (12 [41.4%] vs. 5 [33.3%], P=0.603). The mean time to diagnosis of SSI was 8.1±3.9 days from PPP. The most isolated organism was Staphylococcus epidermidis.

Conclusions

Repacking and combined bladder-urethra injury are potential risk factors for SSI in patients with unstable pelvic fracture. Close observation is recommended for up to 8 days in patients with these risk factors. Further, 48 hours after PPP, removing the packed gauze on cessation of bleeding and not performing repacking can help prevent SSI. Additional analyses are necessary with a larger number of patients with the potential risk factors identified in this study.

Therapeutic failures of targeted antibiotic prophylaxis in urology

Targeted antibiotic prophylaxis (TAP) is required for patients with positive urine culture before urological surgery. Our aim was to determine the efficacy of TAP. This was a prospective single-center study performed in a urology department. All patients who underwent a programmed surgery were included. Urine culture was obtained before surgery requiring a prophylaxis: in the case of sterile urines, antibiotics were used in accordance with national recommendations; for positive urine culture, a TAP was used in accordance with susceptibility testing. The drugs were administered for 2 days before surgery until withdrawal of bladder catheter. The occurrence of healthcare-associated infections was registered until day 30 after surgery. Two hundred three patients were included for 8 non-consecutive weeks in 2020, among whom fifteen were lost of sight before day 30. Among the remaining 188 patients, most frequent surgeries were 75 prostatic diseases (40%), 50 endo-ureteral surgeries for JJ stent insertion (27%), and 23 bladder cancers (12%). One hundred forty-eight (79%) patients required a urine culture before procedure; 142/148 (96%) urine cultures were performed, leading to 74 TAP. The main isolated bacteria were 48 Enterobacteriaceae and 8 Enterococcus spp. TAP was cotrimoxazole (n = 30), aminoglycosides (n = 11), amoxicillin (n = 9), fluoroquinolones (n = 7), and others (n = 17). The rate of healthcare-associated infections was 14.8% (11/74), including six microbiologically documented antibiotic failures. The rate of healthcare-associated infection after urological surgery using TAP was high, implying to discuss the choice and the dosage of the antibiotic molecules.

Does a Recent Urinary Tract Infection Increase the Risk of Postprocedure Urinary Tract Infection After Onabotulinum Toxin A?

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study was to evaluate the risk of postprocedure urinary tract infection (UTI) after injection of onabotulinum toxin A (BTX-A) in women who had a UTI within 30 days before procedure.

METHODS

This was a retrospective cohort study of women who underwent their first injection of BTX-A from 2010 to 2016. Two cohorts were identified: (1) recent UTI (within 30 days before injection) and (2) no recent UTI. Our primary outcome was UTI within 90 days after BTX-A. Continuous variables were analyzed using the Wilcoxon rank sum test, and categorical variables were analyzed using Fisher exact or χ2 tests.

RESULTS

One hundred sixty-six women underwent their first BTX-A injection. Twenty-five (15%) had a recent UTI and 141 (85%) did not. Women with a recent UTI were more likely to have a subsequent infection (52% vs 26%, P < 0.01). However, in a logistic regression model, controlling for history of recurrent UTI, age, history of diabetes mellitus, periprocedural antibiotics, and urinary retention requiring catheterization, the association between having a recent UTI, and a subsequent UTI was no longer significant (adjusted odds ratio, 1.98; 95% confidence interval, 0.60-6.50; P = 0.26).

CONCLUSIONS

Performing a first injection of BTX-A within 30 days of a UTI does not increase the odds of postprocedure UTI. Therefore, BTX-A therapy does not need to be delayed after a recent UTI.

Incidence and risk factors for positive urine culture at the time of pediatric urologic surgery

PURPOSE

Urinary tract infections are relatively common in pediatric patients. Unrecognized bacteriuria at the time of urologic surgery puts patients at increased risk for perioperative complications. Many pediatric urologists obtain preoperative or intraoperative urine cultures prior to surgery, but data are lacking regarding rates and risk factors for positive intraoperative urine cultures. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients undergoing pediatric urologic surgery to examine factors associated with positive intraoperative urine cultures.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Charts of patients of age 0-18 years from a single pediatric urologist with associated intraoperative urine culture results between 2008 and 2013 were retrospectively reviewed. Demographics, prior culture results, and information regarding possible risk factors of interest-history of constipation, hydronephrosis, neurogenic bladder, posterior urethral valves, ureterocele, UPJ obstruction, urolithiasis, vesicoureteral reflux, and circumcision status-were collected and analyzed.

RESULTS

Seven hundred and fifty procedure encounters with associated intraoperative urine culture results were reviewed. Overall positive urine culture rate was 13.5%. Factors associated with increased odds of positive intraoperative urine culture included neurogenic bladder (odds ratio 26.3, p < 0.001), prior positive culture (OR 5.4, p < 0.001), female sex (OR 2.1, p 0.007), constipation (OR 2.9, p < 0.001), and urolithiasis (OR 1.58, p = 0.04). Patients without any of these risk factors had no positive intraoperative cultures (p = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with neurogenic bladder, prior positive urine culture, constipation, female gender, and urolithiasis were at increased risk for positive intraoperative urine culture. This may aid in decision-making regarding obtaining preoperative or intraoperative urine cultures in pediatric urology patients.

Risk factors for surgical site infection after transvaginal mesh placement in a nationwide Japanese cohort

AIMS

We conducted a nationwide survey on perioperative management and antimicrobial prophylaxis of transvaginal mesh surgeries for pelvic organ prolapse in Japan to understand the practice and risk factors for surgical site infection (SSI).

METHODS

Health records of women undergoing tension-free vaginal mesh (TVM) surgeries from 2010 to 2012 were obtained from 135 medical centers belonging to the Japanese Society of Pelvic Organ Prolapse Surgery. The questionnaire addressed hospital volume, perioperative management, and SSI. Risk factors for SSI were investigated by comparing cases with and without SSI.

RESULTS

The hospital volume among institutions varied from 0 to 248 per year (median 16.7). Preoperative hair removal, bowel preparation, and urine culture were routinely performed at 74 (55%), 66 (49%), and 24 (18%) hospitals, respectively. Prophylactic antimicrobials used were mostly first-generation (43%) or second-generation (42%) cephalosporin. SSI was reported in 86 of 9323 patients (0.92%). A multivariate analysis indicated lower hospital volume (odds ratio [OR], 0.995 [by 1-point increase]; P < 0.001), preoperative bowel preparation (OR, 2.08; P = 0.013), non-routine urine culture (OR, 3.00; P = 0.0006), and the use of antibiotics other than first-generation cephalosporin (OR, 5.29; P = 0.0011) as significant risk factors for SSI. In contrast, the cut-off points of hospital volume for preventing SSI was 116.7 cases (area under curve: 0.61).

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of SSI in TVM surgeries was 0.92% in Japan. Lower hospital volume, bowel preparation, non-routine preoperative urine culture, and prophylactic antibiotics other than first-generation cephalosporin significantly elevated the incidence of SSI.

Postoperative wound dealing and superficial surgical site infection in open radical prostatectomy

The number of open radical prostatectomy (RP) surgeries has been decreasing owing to the spread of laparoscopic and robotic surgery, which has implications for postoperative wound healing. The purpose of this study was to investigate and document the current status of postoperative wound healing and superficial surgical site infection (SSI) in open RPs. One hundred and seventy-five antegrade RPs with the same or similar kinds of prophylactic antibiotic administration were divided into two groups: (i) 'no intervention' (wound covering group) and (ii) 'washing', using a washing solution from the second postoperative day to the day of skin staple removal (wound washing group). We compared these groups for the occurrence of superficial SSI. The wound covering group had three (3·03%) cases of superficial SSI, with one case caused by methicillin sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA). The wound washing group had nine (11·8%) cases of superficial SSI, with three cases caused by MSSA, two cases caused by methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and one by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The wound covering group showed a significantly lower ratio of superficial SSI (P = 0·0472). In conclusion, the postoperative wound status data in this study suggests that no wound intervention after RP resulted in a comparatively lower ratio of superficial SSI than in the wound washing group.

Uroperitoneum after caesarean section

Intraoperative injuries of the bladder and the attendant vesicouterine and vesicovaginal fistulas formation are reported as rare events, but the rapid increase in the number of caesarean sections has contributed to the emergence of these complications. Early recognition of these complications makes them much easier to deal with, while simple measures intraoperatively can ensure that these complications will not escape attention. We present our rare case of uroperitoneum after cesarean section, the way of diagnosis and treatment, and due to this incident we review in detail the existing literature on the topic.

Post-operative infection and prophylactic antibiotic administration after radical cystectomy with orthotopic neobladder urinary diversion

The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between prophylactic antibiotic administration (PAA) and post-operative infection in radical cystectomy with orthotopic neobladder urinary diversion carried out for patients with bladder cancer. Fifty-seven consecutive cases were analyzed retrospectively. Post-operative infections were categorized as urinary tract, wound, and remote infections. We used the antibiotics tazobactam/piperacillin (TAZ/PIPC), sulbactam/ampicillin (SBT/ABPC), flomoxef (FMOX), cefazolin (CEZ), cefotiam (CTM), and cefmetazole (CMZ). Twenty-five (43.9%) patients had post-operative infections. Five of these (8.77%) patients had wound infections, 22 (38.6%) patients had urinary tract infections, and 2 (3.51%) had remote infections. Our statistical analysis demonstrated that the patients with TAZ/PIPC used for PAA (5/18: 27.8%) had a significantly lower post-operative infection rate than patients with other antibiotics (24/39: 61.5%) (p = 0.0442). In addition, the patients with a shorter-duration PAA (within 72 h after the operation (48-72 h)) had a significantly lower rate of post-operative infections (12/33: 36.4%) than those with longer-duration PAA (longer than 72-96 h after the operation) (16/24: 66.7%) (p = 0.0239). Taken together, these results suggest that TAZ/PIPC with shorter PAA duration (within 72 h) might lead to a lower rate of post-operative infections. In conclusion, our data showed that PAA with TAZ/PIPC with a shorter duration PAA (within 72 h) might be recommended for radical cystectomy with orthotopic neobladder reconstruction. A prospective study based on our data is desirable to establish or revise guidelines for prophylactic medication for preventing post-operative infection after radical cystectomy with orthotopic neobladder urinary diversion.

[Incidence of surgical site infections in a urology department]

OBJECTIVES

To determine the incidence of surgical site infections (SSI) in the urology wards as well as the SSI incidence in relation to the ASA score and surgical site contamination class.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

One-year prospective cohort study was conducted in the Urologic department, General hospital, Sabac. The patients were daily examined and their diagnoses were made according to the definition of hospital infections using concurrently the ASA score and surgical site contamination class.

RESULTS

Out of 241 operated patients, 32 patients were diagnosed with 33 SSI. The overall incidence rate of patients with SSI was 5.9% while incidence rate of SSI was 6.1%. There were not the differences in the incidence rates according to the ASA score of patients (p > 0.05). The incidence of SSI was 5.0% in the clan wounds, 11.2% in the clean-contaminated, and 20.7% in the contaminated wounds (Chi2 = 8.2 DF = 2 p < 0.016). The patients with SSIs were hospitalized approximately 2 times longer than the patients without SSI (t = -6.28; df = 239; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

This study suggests that it is necessary to maintain continuous surveillance of surgicical site infections and to implement the preventive measures, especially for clean and clean-contaminated surgery.

A prospective study of single-dose antibiotic prophylaxis in live donor nephrectomy

Purpose

To perform a prospective analysis of the clinical outcomes of prophylactic antibiotic treatment before the standard surgical modality of living donor nephrectomy (LDN) without postoperative antibiotic treatment.

Materials and Methods

From November 2005 to June 2010, a total of 470 patients underwent LDN at our medical institution, and 280 of these patients were injected with 1 g cephalosporin 30 minutes before the operation. The group receiving prophylactic antibiotics was compared with a control group composed of 190 patients who received injections of 2 g cephalosporin per day for 5 days after the operation. The presence of fever, incidence of blood transfusion, and period of drainage use were compared between the two groups.

Results

There were no significant differences in gender, age, body mass index, incidence of blood transfusion after the operation, fever over 38℃ 3 days after the operation, or period of drain insertion between the single-dose group and the control group. The follow-up was conducted for 1 month after the operation, and 1 case of surgical site infection (SSI) was observed in each group (p=0.783).

Conclusions

Of 280 patients in the single-dose group, 1 contracted SSI. In comparison with the control group, which was dosed with prophylactic antibiotics for 5 days after the operation, the single-dose group did not have a significantly different occurrence of SSI. We found that the incidence rate of SSI did not increase, even though prophylactic antibiotics were not used after standard and conventional open surgeries, such as video-assisted minilaparotomy surgery.

[Frequency of hospital infections at Department of Urology]

INTRODUCTION

At departments of urology, as well as other hospital departments, hospital infections represent an important problem. The objective of this work was to determine the frequency and the most common localizations of hospital infections at the Department of urology.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

All the patients hospitalized for longer than 48 hours at the Department of Urology, General hospital, Sabac were included in a prospective study of incidence in the period of 12 months. The everyday epidemiological surveillance was carried out, as well as the inspection of the existing medical files. The diagnosis of hospital infections was made on the basis of known definitions.

RESULTS

Ninety-four out of 554 hospitalized patients included in the research had 122 hospital infections. One hospital infection was recorded in 64 of those included in the research, whereas two and three infections were recorded in 26 and 2 patients, respectively. The incidence rate of the patients with hospital infections was 17.3%, and the rate of the incidence of the infections 22.4%. The incidence rate by 1,000 patients-hospitalization days was 12.4. Out of the total number of infections, 69.7% were urinary tract infections, 27% surgical site infections and 3.3% sepses. The incidence rate of the patients with urinary infections was 14.7% and the incidence rate of urinary infections 15.6%. The rate of urinary infections in the patients with urinary catheter (19.6%) was significantly higher than in those patients without urinary catheter (p < 0.001). The rate of incidence of surgical site infections was 6.1% and the incidence rate of blood infections was 0.7%.

CONCLUSION

The most common hospital infections in our work were urinary infections and surgical site infections. The rates recorded in our study are similar to those in the hospitals that have only started the surveillance of hospital infections.

Infectious complications in patients with chronic bacteriuria undergoing major urologic surgery

OBJECTIVES

To review our perioperative antibiotic management of patients with chronic bacteriuria who underwent urological procedures, and the relationship to postoperative infectious complications.

METHODS

Between January 2002 and January 2007, 77 patients with chronic bacteriuria underwent 94 major open procedures, including ileocystoplasty (n = 53), ileal conduit (n = 19), and pubovaginal sling placement (n = 18). Admission urine cultures were classified as "sensitive" (sensitive to admission antibiotics or no growth), "resistant" (resistant to admission antibiotics), and "unknown" (multiple unspeciated organisms present or no admission culture data available).

RESULTS

Our rate of multidrug resistance bacteriuria was 46.3%. There were 7 febrile urinary tract infections, 12 wound infections, 1 episode of sepsis, and no intra-abdominal abscesses, yielding an infectious complication rate of 20.2%. There was no statistical relationship between urine culture status and the rate of febrile urinary tract infections or sepsis, but wound infections were less common in patients with "sensitive" urine cultures. Of the patients who had urine cultures that demonstrated multiple unspeciated organisms, 32% were complicated by wound infections. On multivariate analysis, gender, age, and body mass index were associated with the development of infectious complications.

CONCLUSIONS

In a medically complex population of patients, those with neurogenic bladder and frequent catheterization undergoing major abdominal surgery, we demonstrate an infectious complication rate of 20.2%. Wound infections were as common in patients whose urine cultures revealed multiple unspeciated organisms as those that were resistant to the perioperative antibiotics, and in this population, further characterization may allow for more appropriate perioperative coverage and a decreased rate of wound infections.

Antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of microorganisms involved in the pathogenesis of surgical site infection (SSI); A 1 year of surveillance

The aim of this study is to identify the antibiotic sensitivity pattern of pathogens involved in the process of surgical site infection, in surgical wards. Changes made in the pattern of antibiotic use will result in different microorganism susceptibility patterns, which needs correct determination for precise empiric antibiotic therapy. One thousand patients (62% men and 38% women, 18- 74-years-old, with mean age 43 +/- 8)) who underwent surgical treatment, in Alzahra University Hospital, Isfahan University of Medicine, Isfahan, Iran, were studied from 2005 to 2006. Surgical wound infections, based on the reported criteria, were aspirated for culturing within 1 plus gram staining of prepared smears. Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MICs) were determined for samples and all derived data were compared by SPSS 13 and WHO net 5 software. The prevalence of SSI was 13.3% with 150 positive cultures, totally. Of 150 bacteria, isolated from surgical site infections Staphylococcus aureus had most frequency (43%). Resistance of isolated organisms was 41.7% in amikacin, 65 and 78.6% in ceftazidime, 85.7% in ceftriaxone, 61.5% in ciprofloxacin, 78.8% in gentamicine, 6.4% in imipenem, 13% in meropenem and 70.6% in trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, respectively. 78.9% of Staphylococcus aureus isolates were MRSA and vancomycine was the most effective antibiotic without any resistance. Among 10 isolates of coagulase negative Staphylococcus, no vancomycine resistance was seen, but in contrast all cases were resistant to oxacillin. The most common gram negative organism was Klebsiella (18 isolates) in which 100 and 80% were sensitive to imipenem and meropenem, respectively. Seventeen cases were E. coli, in which the most sensitivity was to meropenem (80%) and imipenem (77.8%). Thirteen cases of Pseudomonas were detected, in which 16.7% were resistant to imipenem and 8.3% to meropenem. Our results demonstrated that the total antibiotic resistance is increasing among SSIs, with an up sloping pattern, which will contact with a constant empiric antibiotic therapy. So, precise up to date antibiogram tantalize us toward balancing the rate of total antibiotic resistance to SSIs.

Asymptomatic urinary tract colonisation predisposes to superficial wound infection in elective orthopaedic surgery

There is no evidence surrounding the benefits, effects or clinical outcomes treating asymptomatic urinary tract colonisation. A series of 558 patients undergoing elective admission for orthopaedic surgery were recruited prior to surgery and were screened for urinary tract infection (UTI). Patients had their urine dipstick tested and positive samples were sent for culture and microscopy. Patients with a positive urine culture were treated with antibiotics prior to surgery; 85% of dipsticks tested were positive, while only 7% of the urine samples were culture positive. Over 36% of patients with a pre-operative UTI show some form of post-operative delayed wound healing or confirmed infection versus 16% in the other subgroup giving a relative risk of wound complications of 2:1 (p < 0.02). We have established that patients who present to pre-admission with urinary tract colonisation are a high risk subgroup for wound infection post-operatively.

Predictors of surgical site infection in dirty urological surgery

OBJECTIVES

Risk factors for surgical site infection (SSI) following urologic dirty operations have not been clearly identified. This study was conducted to describe incidence, potential risk factors and common causative pathogens of the SSI in such operations.

METHODS

Medical records of patients who had undergone simple nephrectomy or lumbotomy for suppurative renal infection at our institutions from 1999 to 2006 were retrospectively evaluated. The following data were retrieved: presence of SSI, demographic data, laboratory findings, comorbidities, microbiological data, type of renal suppuration, type of urological surgery and antibiotic regimen. Risk factors for SSI were evaluated using the multiple logistic regression model.

RESULTS

Sixty-five patients (mean age 55.6 +/- 13.1 years) were eligible for data analysis. In 20 of them (30.8%) a SSI was identified. The most common isolated pathogens were gram-negative bacteria. At univariate logistic regression analysis risk factors significantly associated with SSI included: presence of emphysematous infection, hypoalbuminemia, number of predisposing conditions, emergency operations, isolation of Enterobacteriaceae, positive pus culture. The use of trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole was associated with a decreased risk for SSI. Multiple logistic model identified only the emergency operations and isolated Enterobacteriaceae as independent predictors of SSI (odds ratio [OR] = 11.1) (95% confidence interval [CI] = 3.0-40.8) and OR = 3.9 (1.0-14.8), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with suppurative renal infections are submitted to life-saving emergency surgery. Urological surgeons should keep in mind that this carries a high risk for subsequent SSI. Effective preventive measures in these circumstance cannot be identified. Further research in this area is necessary to clarify this issue.

Absence of prophylactic antibiotics in minimum incision endoscopic urological surgery (MEUS) of adrenal and renal tumors

OBJECTIVE

Recently, some studies suggested that antimicrobial prophylactics (AMP) are not needed to prevent surgical site infection (SSI) for clean operations despite worldwide acceptance of AMP. However, appropriate use of AMP in urological surgery has not been fully studied. Herein, we report an attempt of gradual decrease of AMP to non-use of AMP in minimum incision endoscopic urological surgery (MEUS) of adrenal and renal tumors.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We investigated 95 consecutive patients who underwent 16 MEUS adrenalectomy and 79 MEUS radical and partial nephrectomy in our hospital. Patients were classified into the following three groups by means of prevention of SSI: the first step group received ampicillin sodium/sulbactam sodium 1.5 g i.v. 30 min before the operation; the second step group received a single 300 mg of levofloxacin orally 60 min before the operation; and the third step group received no AMP. Clinical backgrounds and incidences of SSI were compared among these three groups.

RESULTS

The first, second and third step groups consisted of 31, 36 and 28 patients, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference among these groups in terms of clinical backgrounds including age, sex, body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologists classification, National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance risk index, and type and length of operation. The first step group had one superficial SSI that healed without any non-specific treatment. None of the second and third step groups had superficial SSI. There was no case of deep surgical site or distant infection.

CONCLUSION

AMP could be discarded in clean MEUS of adrenal and renal tumors without increasing the incidence of SSI.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa: resistance and therapeutic options at the turn of the new millennium

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a major cause of nosocomial infections. This organism shows a remarkable capacity to resist antibiotics, either intrinsically (because of constitutive expression of beta-lactamases and efflux pumps, combined with low permeability of the outer-membrane) or following acquisition of resistance genes (e.g., genes for beta-lactamases, or enzymes inactivating aminoglycosides or modifying their target), over-expression of efflux pumps, decreased expression of porins, or mutations in quinolone targets. Worryingly, these mechanisms are often present simultaneously, thereby conferring multiresistant phenotypes. Susceptibility testing is therefore crucial in clinical practice. Empirical treatment usually involves combination therapy, selected on the basis of known local epidemiology (usually a beta-lactam plus an aminoglycoside or a fluoroquinolone). However, therapy should be simplified as soon as possible, based on susceptibility data and the patient's clinical evolution. Alternative drugs (e.g., colistin) have proven useful against multiresistant strains, but innovative therapeutic options for the future remain scarce, while attempts to develop vaccines have been unsuccessful to date. Among broad-spectrum antibiotics in development, ceftobiprole, sitafloxacin and doripenem show interesting in-vitro activity, although the first two molecules have been evaluated in clinics only against Gram-positive organisms. Doripenem has received a fast track designation from the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of nosocomial pneumonia. Pump inhibitors are undergoing phase I trials in cystic fibrosis patients. Therefore, selecting appropriate antibiotics and optimising their use on the basis of pharmacodynamic concepts currently remains the best way of coping with pseudomonal infections.

Active Surveillance of Nosocomial Infections in Urologic Patients

OBJECTIVES

We report the results of a 4-month survey implemented at the urologic clinic of an Italian university hospital, with the following aims: (1) to describe the incidence of nosocomial infections (NI) in our setting for comparison within and between urologic wards and (2) to provide relevant information to monitor and target infection control policies.

METHODS

A 4-month prospective survey was performed from April to July 2004, preceded by the 1-month surveillance pilot study; both performed in accordance with the methods, protocols and definitions of the National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance System. The following indicators were included site-specific incidence rates and device-adjusted infection rates. For surgical site infections, rates were calculated by operative procedure and risk index category. Antimicrobial usage was also monitored.

RESULTS

Incidence of symptomatic urinary tract infections was 1.4 per 1000 patient-days, 1.3 per 100 catheterized patients and 3.0 per 1000 urinary catheter-days. Incidence and incidence density of surgical site infections were respectively 1.3 per 100 patients and 1.8 per 1000 patient-days.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study represents a contribution to improve the quality of care in our urologic ward by monitoring the size of the NI problem using standardized definitions, data collection and indicators to compare the results of the unit with possible future ones, and by identifying practices that should be changed. This study supports close surveillance of antibiotic administration among urologists who may be unaware of the inappropriate antibiotic administration in their patients. Two major items were identified for planning future intervention: focusing on the use of closed urinary drainage systems and on appropriate antimicrobial prophylaxis.

Incidence of and risk factors for surgical site infection in patients with radical cystectomy with urinary diversion

In radical cystectomy (RC), surgical-site infection (SSI) remains one of the most frustrating postoperative complications. Only a few reports have assessed SSI after RC according to the guideline authorized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC guideline). In this study, using the guideline, we assessed the incidence, causative organisms, classification, and risk factors for SSI in patients receiving RC with urinary diversion (UD). The subjects of this study were 104 patients who underwent RC with UD at the Department of Urology, Sapporo Medical University Hospital, between January 1996 and December 2003. As prophylactic antimicrobial agents, intravenous cephalosporins or penicillins were started before surgery and maintained until postoperative day 3. Patients who had preoperative bacteriuria were treated with antimicrobial agents before operation to eradicate the bacteria or reduce their number. The CDC guideline was used for the diagnosis of SSI. The overall incidence of SSI was 33%. The most frequent type of SSI was superficial incisional infection (71%). Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was the most frequently isolated organism, accounting for 38% of the causative organisms. Operation time was shown to be a significant risk factor for SSI. Preoperative antibacterial chemotherapy for bacteriuria was not sufficiently efficacious to decrease the incidence of SSI. In our study, the incidence of SSI after RC was 33%, although 71% of the infections were superficial. It is necessary to establish more appropriate countermeasures to prevent SSI after RC with UD; in particular, that caused by MRSA.