Acute abdomen in the immunocompromised patient: WSES, SIS-E, WSIS, AAST, and GAIS guidelines

Immunocompromised patients are a heterogeneous and diffuse category frequently presenting to the emergency department with acute surgical diseases. Diagnosis and treatment in immunocompromised patients are often complex and must be multidisciplinary. Misdiagnosis of an acute surgical disease may be followed by increased morbidity and mortality. Delayed diagnosis and treatment of surgical disease occur; these patients may seek medical assistance late because their symptoms are often ambiguous. Also, they develop unique surgical problems that do not affect the general population. Management of this population must be multidisciplinary.This paper presents the World Society of Emergency Surgery (WSES), Surgical Infection Society Europe (SIS-E), World Surgical Infection Society (WSIS), American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST), and Global Alliance for Infection in Surgery (GAIS) joined guidelines about the management of acute abdomen in immunocompromised patients.

Determining the optimal surgical timing of fulminant Clostridium difficile colitis by using four objective factors and computed tomography findings: A case report

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE

Clostridium difficile colitis is increasingly seen in everyday clinical situations, and most cases are treated with antibiotics. Fulminant C. difficile colitis (FCDC) is rare; however, it is extremely virulent, and understanding its appropriate surgical treatment is critical. The surgical timing is controversial because of the lack of concrete decision-making factors. We report a case of FCDC with a favourable outcome, which was achieved by using four objective factors and computed tomography (CT) findings.

CASE PRESENTATION

A patient with head trauma developed pneumonia at 2 days post-admission. He was prescribed with antibiotics. Fever and leucocytosis persisted on hospital day 10. Clostridium was detected in the stool on day 12, and metronidazole was administered. His condition did not improve; thus, he was started on vancomycin on day 14. The marked deterioration in the four laboratory parameters (white blood cell, albumin [Alb], creatinine, and body temperature) on day 15 and CT findings contributed to the decision to perform emergency subtotal colectomy and ileostomy. His condition improved dramatically postoperatively.

CLINICAL DISCUSSION

Many factors of FCDC are already suggested for surgical intervention in the guidelines; however, they are often seen at the late stage of FCDC. Early detection of FCDC is the key to favourable surgical outcome. Following the trend of these objective factors guides in making appropriate surgical decisions.

CONCLUSION

Focusing on the four objective factors and CT findings of FCDC could help surgeons detect FCDC at an early stage and decide the optimal surgical timing.

Recent advances in the treatment of Clostridioides difficile infection: the ever-changing guidelines

Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI), formerly known as Clostridium difficile, continues to be the most common healthcare-associated infection worldwide. With the shifting epidemiology towards higher a incidence of community-acquired CDI and the continued burden on the healthcare system posed by high rates of CDI recurrence, there has been an impetus to advance the diagnostic testing and treatment strategies. Recent advancements over the past decade have led to rapidly changing guidelines issued by the Infectious Diseases Society of America and European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases. With our comprehensive review, we aim to summarize the latest advances in diagnosing and treating CDI and thus attempt to help readers guide best practices for patient care. This article also focusses on cost-effectiveness of various therapies currently available on the market and provides an analysis of the current evidence on a relatively new monoclonal antibody therapy, Bezlotoxumab, to treat recurrent CDI.

Trends in Diverting Loop Ileostomy vs Total Abdominal Colectomy as Surgical Management for Clostridium difficile Colitis

Importance

Diverting loop ileostomy and colonic lavage has generated much interest since it was first reported as a potential alternative to total abdominal colectomy for treating Clostridium difficile colitis in 2011. To our knowledge, few studies have validated the benefit reported in the initial description, and the association of this new approach with practice patterns has not been described.

Objective

To examine the national adoption pattern and outcomes of diverting loop ileostomy vs total abdominal colectomy as treatment for fulminant C difficile colitis.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This retrospective cohort study used data from hospitals participating in the National Inpatient Sample database across the United States from January 2011 to September 2015 and included 3021 adult patients who underwent surgery for C difficile colitis during the study period, comprising 2408 subtotal colectomies and 613 loop ileostomies. The data were analyzed between November 2018 and April 2019.

Exposures

Loop ileostomy as surgery of choice.

Main Outcomes and Measures

In-hospital mortality.

Results

Of 2408 participants, 1416 (58.8%) were women, 1781 (78.4%) were white, and 627 (21.6%) were individuals of color and the mean (SD) age was 68.2 (14.8) years. During the overall study period, 613 patients (20.28%) underwent diverting loop ileostomy without total abdominal colectomy. The annual proportion of patients undergoing only diversion increased from 11.16% in 2011 to 25.30% in 2015. Significantly more loop ileostomies were performed within the first day of hospitalization, in contrast to subtotal colectomies (23.31% vs 12.21%; P < .01). There was no significant difference in in-hospital mortality rates between the 2 groups (25.98% vs 31.18%; P = .28).

Conclusions and Relevance

This study demonstrates the adoption of diverting loop ileostomy to treat C difficile colitis across the United States. While fulminant C difficile colitis remains a condition with high mortality rates, no significant difference in this outcome was observed between loop ileostomy and total abdominal colectomy. Loop ileostomy may represent a viable surgical alternative to total abdominal colectomy, although the grounds for selection of treatment need to be clarified.

Development and validation of a clinical risk calculator for mortality after colectomy for fulminant Clostridium difficile colitis

BACKGROUND

Clostridium difficile colitis is an increasingly important cause of morbidity and mortality. Fulminant C. difficile colitis (FCDC) is a severe form of the colitis driven by a significant systemic inflammatory response, and managed with a total abdominal colectomy. Despite surgery, postoperative mortality rates remain high. The aim of this study was to develop a bedside calculator to predict the risk of 30-day postoperative mortality for patients with FCDC.

METHODS

After institutional review board approval, the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database (2005-2015) was used to include adult patients who underwent emergency surgery for FCDC. A priori preoperative predictors of mortality were selected from the literature: age, immunosuppression, preoperative shock, intubation, and laboratory values. The predictive accuracy of different logistic regression models was measured by calculating the area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve. A cohort of 124 patients from Québec was used to validate the developed mortality calculator.

RESULTS

A total of 557 patients met the inclusion criteria, and the overall mortality was 44%. After developing the calculator, no statistically significant differences were found in comparison with the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program probability of mortality available in the database (area under the receiver operating curve, 75.61 vs. 75.14; p = 0.79). External validation with the cohort of patients from Quebec showed an area under the curve of 74.0% (95% confidence interval, 65.0-82.9).

CONCLUSION

A clinically applicable calculator using preoperative variables to predict postoperative mortality for patients with FCDC was developed and externally validated. This calculator may help guide preoperative decision making.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Prognostic and epidemiological study, level III.

Faecal microbiota transplant decreases mortality in severe and fulminant Clostridioides difficile infection in critically ill patients

BACKGROUND

Severe and fulminant Clostridioides difficile infection is associated with high mortality rates. While faecal microbiota transplant has been shown to be effective for recurrent C difficile infection, there is little data on the utility of faecal microbiota transplant in severe or fulminant C difficile infection.

AIM

To compare the outcomes of antibiotics and faecal microbiota transplantation vs antibiotics alone (standard of care) in critically ill patients with severe or fulminant C difficile infection.

METHODS

This was a retrospective, matched cohort study in one urban tertiary academic care centre including 48 patients hospitalised with severe or fulminant C difficile infection who required care in intensive care unit.

RESULTS

Patients who received faecal microbiota transplantation (n = 16) had a 77% decrease in odds for mortality (OR 0.23, 95% CI 0.06-0.97) with a number needed to treat of 3 to prevent one death.

CONCLUSIONS

Faecal microbiota transplantation provides mortality benefit over standard of care for severe and fulminant C difficile infection and should be considered in critically ill patients.

2019 update of the WSES guidelines for management of Clostridioides (Clostridium) difficile infection in surgical patients

In the last three decades, Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) has increased in incidence and severity in many countries worldwide. The increase in CDI incidence has been particularly apparent among surgical patients. Therefore, prevention of CDI and optimization of management in the surgical patient are paramount. An international multidisciplinary panel of experts from the World Society of Emergency Surgery (WSES) updated its guidelines for management of CDI in surgical patients according to the most recent available literature. The update includes recent changes introduced in the management of this infection.

External Validation of Velazquez-Gomez Severity Score Index and ATLAS Scores and the Identification of Risk Factors Associated with Mortality in Clostridium difficile Infections

Treatment guidelines for Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) are limited by a lack of widely accepted clinical prediction tools (CPTs). Two published CPTs, the Velazquez-Gomez Severity Score Index (VGSSI) and ATLAS scores, were evaluated, and variables showing the greatest correlation with mortality in patients with CDI were identified to further develop an objective, mortality-based CPT. A retrospective review of the charts of 271 hospitalized patients with CDI was performed. VGSSI and ATLAS scores were assigned. Means and correlations of these scores with mortality were evaluated. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed on 32 known potential mortality predictor variables. Mortality was overall strongly associated with VGSSI and ATLAS scores with poor correlation within the intermediate ranges. Mean scores for nonsurvivors indicated poor calibration. The variables most associated with mortality were Age, vasopressors, steroids, creatinine level, and albumin. Although both CPTs revealed the ability to discriminate patients at greater risk for mortality, precision and overall calibration were lacking. Five variables were identified which had the greatest correlation with mortality. Utilization of these variables to enhance or modify the existing CPTs is suggested as the next step in the development of a useful and accurate mortality-based CPT for the treatment of CDI.

Effects of a New Hospital-Wide Surgical Consultation Protocol in Patients with Clostridium difficile Colitis

BACKGROUND

Fulminant Clostridium difficile colitis (fCDC) occurs in 2%-8% of patients with CDC and carries a high death rate. Prompt operation may reduce death. Our aim was to determine whether a standardized hospital-wide protocol for surgical referral in CDC would result in earlier surgical consultation, earlier identification of patients who could benefit from surgical therapy, and reduced deaths from fCDC.

METHODS

A multidisciplinary team developed consensus criteria for surgical consultation. Compliance was evaluated by prospective review of all inpatient CDC cases. Outcomes of the prospective cohort (POST) were compared to an historic control group (PRE).

RESULTS

From November 1, 2010 to October 31, 2012, we identified 1,106 inpatients with CDC; 339 patients matched the consultation criteria, of whom 213 received a surgical consultation, resulting in an overall compliance rate of 62.8%. All those with fCDC received a surgical consultation, with a median time to surgical referral of three hours. Of 46 patients with fCDC, 11 (23.9%) died, compared with 34.8% in the historical control group (p = 0.15). The death rate was 14.7% in the POST group, when excluding patients with limitations of care and those transferred to our institution in a fulminant state. There was a shorter interval between admission and surgical intervention for those who required operation in the POST group-three (1-11) days versus 1.5 (0-3) days, respectively, in the PRE and POST groups (p = 0.018), and a shorter adjusted median hospital length of stay (adjusted difference 9.0, 95% CI 2.2-12.3, p = 0.007) Conclusions: A hospital-wide protocol with established criteria for surgical consultation resulted in faster intervention and a shorter adjusted median hospital length of stay. The overall death rate for fCDC patients without limitations of life-sustaining treatment who presented to our emergency department or in whom fCDC developed while they were admitted to our hospital was 14.7%.

Successful treatments with polymyxin B hemoperfusion and recombinant human thrombomodulin for fulminant Clostridium difficile-associated colitis with septic shock and disseminated intravascular coagulation: a case report

BACKGROUND

Clostridium difficile (CD)-associated colitis (CDAC) is endemic and a common nosocomial enteric disease encountered by surgeons in modern hospitals due to prophylactic or therapeutic antibiotic therapies. Currently, the incidence of fulminant CDAC, which readily causes septic shock followed by multiple organ dysfunction syndromes, is increasing. Fulminant CDAC requires surgeons to perform a prompt surgery, such as subtotal colectomy, to remove the septic source. It is known that fulminant CDAC is caused by the shift from an inflammatory response at a local mucosal level to a general systemic inflammatory reaction in which CD toxin-induced mediators' cascades disseminate. Recently, it has been proven that polymyxin B hemoperfusion (PMX-HP) improves septic shock and recombinant human thrombomodulin (rhTM) controls disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). In addition, clinically and basically, it has been shown that these treatments can control serous chemical mediators. Therefore, it is considered that these treatments are promising ones for patients with fulminant CDAC. In the current report, we present that these treatments without surgery contributed to the improvement of sepsis due to fulminant CDAC.

CASE PRESENTATION

We encountered a case who developed fulminant CDAC with septic shock and DIC after laparoscopic gastrectomy for gastric cancer. At admission to the intensive care unit, his APACHE II score was 22, which indicated an estimated risk of hospital death of 42.4 %. Our therapies were not the subtotal colectomy to remove septic sources but the combination treatments with both PMX-HP and rhTM. These combination therapies resulted in excellent outcomes, namely the dramatic improvement of septic shock and DIC and the patient's survival. We speculate that these combination therapies completely inhibit the CD toxin-induced mediators' cascades and correspond to the removal of septic sources.

CONCLUSIONS

We recommend both PMX-HP and rhTM for patients who develop fulminant CDAC with septic shock and DIC to increase the survival benefit and replace the need for surgical treatment.

Fecal Microbiota Transplant

Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) has steadily increased in incidence since the 1990s, with an associated increase in recurrence and severity, which has in turn lead to more intensive care unit (ICU) admissions. The development of recurrent CDI, in particular, has been associated with increasing patient morbidity and mortality as well as an immense financial burden on the health care system. Recently, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has received much publicity as an effective means of treatment for recurrent CDI. The goal of this review is to provide evidence-based recommendations for the diagnosis and management of CDI, with a particular focus on FMT and its utilization in the ICU.

[Clostridium difficile in visceral surgery]

BACKGROUND

For surgeons the early identification of patients with clostridium difficile infections (CDI) is important, because the incidence and virulence of this potentially life-threatening disease are increasing.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to describe the frequency of CDI among surgical patients, to analyze which treatment was successful and to define which factors were associated with mortality.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of patients with CDI was performed.

RESULTS

From January 2004 to June 2012 the overall incidence of CDI among all departments at the St. Josef Hospital, Ruhr University Bochum was 0.6 % (1669 out of 301,919 patients). In 2004 the number of surgical patients with CDI was 1 which increased to 41 in 2011. Before the diagnosis of CDI was made 84 % (151 out of 179) of patients had received an antibiotic treatment. Conservative management of CDI was performed with metronidazole in 75 % (134 out of 179), 60 % (107 out of 179) received vancomycin, while 44 % (79 out of 179) received a combination of metronidazole and vancomycin, tygecycline or fidaxomidin. The overall mortality was 7 % (12 out of 179). There was a significant association with mortality for patients with sepsis, readmission to the intensive care unit (ICU), requirement for vasopressor therapy and intubation with mechanical ventilation. In 4 % of patients (7 out of 179) colectomy was carried out. Despite maximum intensive care management, 86 % (6 out of 7) of patients who underwent colectomy ultimately died.

CONCLUSION

Although conservative management is successful for most patients with CDI, the mortality is high for patients who require intensive care management secondary to CDI. Mortality after colectomy for CDI is almost 100 %, mostly because the operation is usually only performed as a last resort in patients with sepsis. The most important risk factor for CDI is a prior antibiotic therapy.

WSES guidelines for management of Clostridium difficile infection in surgical patients

In the last two decades there have been dramatic changes in the epidemiology of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI), with increases in incidence and severity of disease in many countries worldwide. The incidence of CDI has also increased in surgical patients. Optimization of management of C difficile, has therefore become increasingly urgent. An international multidisciplinary panel of experts prepared evidenced-based World Society of Emergency Surgery (WSES) guidelines for management of CDI in surgical patients.

Clostridium difficile infection: guideline-based diagnosis and treatment

BACKGROUND

Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) is the pathogen that most commonly causes nosocomial and antibiotic-associated diarrheal disease. Optimized algorithms for diagnosis, treatment, and hygiene can help lower the incidence, morbidity, and mortality of C. difficile infection (CDI).

METHODS

This review is based on pertinent articles that were retrieved by a selective search in PubMed for recommendations on diagnosis and treatment(up to March 2014), with particular attention to the current epidemiological situation in Germany.

RESULTS

The incidence of CDI in Germany is 5 to 20 cases per 100,000 persons per year. In recent years, a steady increase in severe, reportable cases of CDI has been observed, and the highly virulent epidemic strain Ribotype 027 has spread across nearly the entire country. For therapeutic and hygiene management, it is important that the diagnosis be made as early as possible with a sensitive screening test, followed by a confirmatory test for the toxigenic infection. Special disinfection measures are needed because of the formation of spores. The treatment of CDI is evidence-based; depending on the severity of the infection, it is treated orally with metronidazole, or else with vancomycin or fidaxomicin. Fulminant infections and recurrences call for specifically adapted treatment modalities. Treatment with fecal bacteria (stool transplantation) is performed in gastroenterological centers that have experience with this form of treatment after multiple failures of drug treatment for recurrent infection. For critically ill patients, treatment is administered by an interdisciplinary team and consists of early surgical intervention in combination with drug treatment. A therapeutic algorithm developed on the basis of current guidelines and recommendations enables risk-adapted, individualized treatment.

CONCLUSION

The growing clinical and epidemiological significance of CDI compels a robust implementation of multimodal diagnostic, therapeutic, and hygienic standards. In the years to come, anti-toxin antibodies, toxoid vaccines, and focused bacterial therapy will be developed as new treatment strategies for CDI.

Fulminant Clostridium difficile Colitis: Comparing Computed Tomography with Histopathology: Are They Concordant?

A Total abdominal colectomy (TAC) is recommended for fulminant Clostridium difficile colitis (FCDC) because intraoperative assessment of diseased segments is inaccurate. To determine whether computerized tomography (CT) provides an accurate assessment of disease, we examined the concordance between CT and histopathologic colitis distribution in patients undergoing TAC for FCDC. The ileocolon was divided into seven distinct segments. Of 20 patients meeting criteria, the median interval between preoperative CT and TAC was 1.5 days (range, 0 to 23 days), and mortality was 65 per cent. The CT distribution of colitis was pancolitis in 12 patients and segmental in eight. Nine of the 12 patients with CT pancolitis had histologic pancolitis (75% concordance). Four of the eight patients with CT-diagnosed segmental disease had histologic segmental disease (50% concordance). For patients with FCDC, the distribution of colitis on CT agrees with the histopathologic extent of disease in the majority of patients. However, discordance between CT and histologic extent of disease was present in 25 to 50 per cent of patients. Therefore, the recommendation for TAC rather than segmental resection for FCDC remains justified.

Clostridium difficile infection: prevention, treatment, and surgical management

Clostridium difficile is increasing in both incidence and severity. Although metronidazole and vancomycin remain the gold standard for medical management, and surgical colectomy the gold standard for surgical management, new treatment alternatives, including the creation of a diverting loop ileostomy along with colonic lavage and vancomycin enemas, are being investigated that may lead to changes in the current treatment algorithms. The most exciting development in the treatment options for C difficile infection, however, is likely to be novel immunologic agents, which hold the potential to reduce the incidence, mortality, and costs associated with C difficile.

Timing and type of surgical treatment of Clostridium difficile-associated disease: a practice management guideline from the Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma

BACKGROUND

Clostridium difficile infection is the leading cause of nosocomial diarrhea in the United States; however, few patients will develop fulminant C. difficile-associated disease (CDAD), necessitating an urgent operative intervention. Mortality for patients who require operative intervention is very high, up to 80% in some series. Since there is no consensus in the literature regarding the best operative treatment for this disease, we sought to answer the following:PICO [population, intervention, comparison, and outcome] Question 1: In adult patients with CDAD, does early surgery compared with late surgery, as defined by the need for vasopressors, decrease mortality?PICO Question 2: In adult patients with CDAD, does total abdominal colectomy (TAC) compared with other types of surgical intervention decrease mortality?

METHODS

A subcommittee of the Practice Management Guideline Committee of the Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis for the selected questions. RevMan software was used to generate forest plots. Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations methodology was used to rate the quality of the evidence, using GRADEpro software to create evidence tables.

RESULTS

Reduction in mortality was significantly associated with early surgery, with a risk ratio (RR) of 0.5 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.35-0.72). The quality of evidence was rated "moderate." Considering only the first procedure performed, mortality seemed to trend higher for TAC, with an RR of 1.11 (95% CI, 0.69-1.80). Considering only the actual procedure performed, the point estimate switched sides, showing a trend toward decreased mortality with TAC (RR, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.56-1.31). The quality of evidence was rated "very low."

CONCLUSION

We strongly recommend that adult patients with CDAD undergo early surgery, before the development of shock and need for vasopressors. We conditionally recommend total or subtotal colectomy (vs. partial colectomy or other surgery) when the diagnosis of The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is known.

Surgical Management of Severe Colitis in the Intensive Care Unit

Severe colitis, an umbrella encompassing several entities, is one of the most common acute gastrointestinal disorders resulting in critical illness. Clostridium difficile infection is responsible for the majority of nosocomial diarrhea with fulminant C difficile colitis (CDC) carrying a high mortality. Optimal outcomes can be achieved by early identification and treatment of fulminant CDC, with appropriate surgical intervention when indicated. Ischemic colitis, on the other hand, is uncommon with a range of etiological factors including abdominal aortic surgery, inotropic drugs, rheumatoid diseases, or often no obvious triggering factor. Most cases resolve with nonsurgical management; however, prompt recognition of full-thickness necrosis and gangrene is crucial for good patient outcomes. Fulminant colitis is a severe disease secondary to progressive ulcerative colitis with systemic deterioration. Surgical intervention is indicated for hemorrhage, perforation, or peritonitis and failure of medical therapy to control the disease. Although, failure of medical management is the most common indication, it can be difficult to define objectively and requires a collaborative multidisciplinary approach. This article proposes some simple management algorithms for these clinical entities, with a focus on critically ill patients.

Life after colectomy for fulminant Clostridium difficile colitis: a 7-year follow up study

BACKGROUND

The long-term prognosis of patients undergoing colectomy for fulminant Clostridium difficile colitis has not been well studied. The authors present 7-year survival trends in such patients.

METHODS

Patients were identified through a pathologic database. Medical records were reviewed and follow-up phone calls made to determine relevant patient history, longevity, and quality of life.

RESULTS

The 61 patients identified had mean and median survival of 18.1 and 3.2 months, respectively, and 1-year, 2-year, 5-year, and 7-year mortality of 68.5%, 79.6%, 88.9%, and 90.7%, respectively. Previous C difficile infection, hypotension, requirement of vasopressors, mental status changes, elevated arterial lactate, decreased platelet counts, intubation, and longer duration on nonoperative therapy were associated with in-hospital mortality. There were no factors correlated with long-term survival.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients who require colectomy for fulminant C difficile colitis have a poor prognosis with poor long-term survival and significant morbidity. Although there are several factors associated with in-hospital mortality, there were no factors correlated with long-term survival.

Fulminant Clostridium difficile colitis: prospective development of a risk scoring system

BACKGROUND

Of the patients with a Clostridium difficile infection, 2% to 8% will progress to fulminant C. difficile colitis (fCDC), which carries high morbidity and mortality. No system exists to rapidly identify patients at risk for developing fCDC and possibly in need of surgical intervention. Our aim was to design a simple and accurate risk scoring system (RSS) for daily clinical practice.

METHODS

We prospectively enrolled all patients diagnosed with a C. difficile infection and compared patients with and without fCDC. An expert panel, combined with data derived from previous studies, identified four risk factors, and a multivariable logistic regression model was performed to determine their effect in predicting fCDC. The RSS was created based on the predictive power of each factor, and calibration, discrimination, and test characteristics were subsequently determined. In addition, the RSS was compared with a previously proposed severity scoring system.

RESULTS

A total of 746 patients diagnosed with C. difficile infection were enrolled between November 2010 and October 2012. Based on the log (odds ratio) of each risk factor, age greater than 70 years was assigned 2 points, white blood cell count equal to or greater than 20,000/μL or equal to or less than 2,000/μL was assigned 1 point, cardiorespiratory failure was assigned 7 points, and diffuse abdominal tenderness on physical examination was assigned 6 points. With the use of this system, the discriminatory value of the RSS (c statistic) was 0.98 (95% confidence interval, 0.96-1).The Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test showed a p value of 0.78, and the Brier score was 0.019. A value of 6 points was determined to be the threshold for reliably dividing low-risk ( <6) from high-risk (≥ 6) patients.

CONCLUSION

The RSS is a valid and reliable tool to identify at the bedside patients who are at risk for developing fCDC. External validation is needed before widespread implementation.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Prognostic study, level II.

Clostridium difficile Infection: Epidemiology, Pathogenesis, Risk Factors, and Therapeutic Options

The incidence and mortality rate of Clostridium difficile infection have increased remarkably in both hospital and community settings during the last two decades. The growth of infection may be caused by multiple factors including inappropriate antibiotic usage, poor standards of environmental cleanliness, changes in infection control practices, large outbreaks of C. difficile infection in hospitals, alteration of circulating strains of C. difficile, and spread of hypervirulent strains. Detection of high-risk populations could be helpful for prompt diagnosis and consequent treatment of patients suffering from C. difficile infection. Metronidazole and oral vancomycin are recommended antibiotics for the treatment of initial infection. Current treatments for C. difficile infection consist of supportive care, discontinuing the unnecessary antibiotic, and specific antimicrobial therapy. Moreover, novel approaches include fidaxomicin therapy, monoclonal antibodies, and fecal microbiota transplantation mediated therapy. Fecal microbiota transplantation has shown relevant efficacy to overcome C. difficile infection and reduce its recurrence.

Surgical Management of Clostridium difficile Colitis

Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) will progress to fulminant disease in 3 to 5% of cases. With the emergence of hypervirulent, multidrug-resistant strains, the incidence and severity of disease are continuing to rise. Prompt identification, early resuscitation, and treatment are critical in preventing morbidity and mortality in this increasingly common condition. Discontinuation of antibiotics and treatment with oral vancomycin and intravenous or oral metronidazole are first-line treatments, but complicated cases may require surgery. Subtotal colectomy with ileostomy remains the standard of care when toxic megacolon, perforation, or an acute surgical abdomen is present, but mortality rates are high. Recognition of risk factors for fulminant CDI and earlier surgical intervention may decrease mortality from this highly lethal disease.

Fulminant colitis

Fulminant colitis is an ill-defined entity that is usually viewed as the most severe form of uncomplicated acute colitis. It usually occurs in the course of ulcerative colitis and infectious colitis, but can also be seen in other forms of colitis. Every patient with clinical criteria for severe or fulminant colitis should be approached in a systematic way, based on two premises - intense medical treatment and early surgery in non-responders.

Overview of severe Clostridium difficile infection

Clostridium difficile is an anaerobic, spore-forming, gram-positive bacillus that can produce severe colitis resulting in death. There has been an overall increase in the incidence of Clostridium difficile-associated disease and, particularly, an increase in the more virulent forms of the disease. Treatment of severe C difficile infection includes management of severe sepsis and shock, pathogen-directed antibiotic therapy, and, in selected cases, surgical intervention. Ultimately, prevention is the key to limiting the devastating effects of this microorganism.

Clostridium difficile infection in children: a comprehensive review

OBJECTIVE

To provide a comprehensive review of the literature relating to Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) infection (CDI) in the pediatric population.

METHODS

Two investigators conducted independent searches of PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus until March 31st, 2013. All databases were searched using the terms 'Clostridium difficile infection', 'Clostridium difficile associated diarrhea' 'antibiotic associated diarrhea', 'C. difficile', in combination with 'pediatric' and 'paediatric'. Articles which discussed pediatric CDI were reviewed and relevant cross references also read and evaluated for inclusion. Selection bias could be a possible limitation of this approach.

FINDINGS

There is strong evidence for an increased incidence of pediatric CDI. Increasingly, the infection is being acquired from the community, often without a preceding history of antibiotic use. The severity of the disease has remained unchanged. Several medical conditions may be associated with the development of pediatric CDI. Infection prevention and control with antimicrobial stewardship are of paramount importance. It is important to consider the age of the child while testing for CDI. Traditional therapy with metronidazole or vancomycin remains the mainstay of treatment. Newer antibiotics such as fidaxomicin appear promising especially for the treatment of recurrent infection. Conservative surgical options may be a life-saving measure in severe or fulminant cases.

CONCLUSIONS

Pediatric providers should be cognizant of the increased incidence of CDI in children. Early and judicious testing coupled with the timely institution of therapy will help to secure better outcomes for this disease.

Is colectomy for fulminant Clostridium difficile colitis life saving? A systematic review

AIM

It is unclear whether colectomy for fulminant Clostridium difficile colitis (FCDC) leads to a improvement in survival compared with continued medical therapy for this moribund population.

METHOD

Selected studies from 1994-2010 were identified through a comprehensive search theme applied to MEDLINE (OvidSP and PubMed), EMBASE and by hand searching. Data regarding mortality rates between medically and surgically treated patients were extracted. Risk of bias was assessed using a Newcastle-Ottawa Scale score. A meta-analysis of the odds ratios for mortality between surgical and medical treatment for FCDC was conducted using the Mantel-Haenszel method and fixed-effects modelling.

RESULTS

Five hundred and ten patients with FCDC were identified in six studies. The pooled adjusted odds ratio of mortality comparing surgery with medical therapy was 0.70 (0.49-0.99), suggesting that surgery provided a survival benefit.

CONCLUSION

Emergent colectomy for patients with FCDC provides a survival advantage compared with continuing antibiotics. Though there is selection bias of patients having surgery, the results of this systematic review suggest that colectomy has a therapeutic role in treating severe forms of C. difficile colitis.

Clostridium difficile Infection

Clostridium difficile is emerging as a common cause of infectious diarrhea. Incidence has increased dramatically since 2000, associated with a new strain that features both increased toxin production and increased resistance to antibiotics. For patients with mild to moderate disease, oral metronidazole is usually the first choice of treatment, and those with severe disease should be treated with vancomycin, with additional intravenous metronidazole in some cases. Fecal microbiota transplantation is a potentially promising therapy for patients with multiple recurrences of C difficile infection. Prevention of nosocomial transmission is crucial to reducing disease outbreaks in health care settings.

Guidelines for diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of Clostridium difficile infections

Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is a leading cause of hospital-associated gastrointestinal illness and places a high burden on our health-care system. Patients with CDI typically have extended lengths-of-stay in hospitals, and CDI is a frequent cause of large hospital outbreaks of disease. This guideline provides recommendations for the diagnosis and management of patients with CDI as well as for the prevention and control of outbreaks while supplementing previously published guidelines. New molecular diagnostic stool tests will likely replace current enzyme immunoassay tests. We suggest treatment of patients be stratified depending on whether they have mild-to-moderate, severe, or complicated disease. Therapy with metronidazole remains the choice for mild-to-moderate disease but may not be adequate for patients with severe or complicated disease. We propose a classification of disease severity to guide therapy that is useful for clinicians. We review current treatment options for patients with recurrent CDI and recommendations for the control and prevention of outbreaks of CDI.

Single-port laparoscopic appendectomy versus conventional laparoscopic appendectomy: a prospective randomized controlled study

OBJECTIVE

To compare surgical outcomes and quality of life between single-port laparoscopic appendectomy (SPLA) and conventional laparoscopic appendectomy (CLA) in patients with acute appendicitis.

BACKGROUND

A prospective randomized single center study was performed to compare the outcome of SPLA and CLA in patients with acute appendicitis.

METHODS

A total of 248 patients were randomized, but because of 18 withdrawals, the outcome of 224 is analyzed, 116 in CLA and 114 in SPLA.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference in the overall complication rate (P = 0.470). There were no significant differences in infectious complications between the SPLA group and the CLA group (10.2% and 12.4%, respectively). The wound complication rate between the 2 groups was not significant (5.1% and 10.6%, respectively; P = 0.207). Cosmetic satisfaction score, 36-item short-form health survey, and postoperative pain scores were not significantly different between 2 groups.

CONCLUSIONS

SPLA failed to show any advantages over CLA relative to pain and cosmesis. However, SPLA is as safe as CLA (RCT number 01348464).

Pseudomembranous colitis due to Clostridium difficile as a cause of perineal necrotising fasciitis

Although rare, pseudomembranous colitis may be a cause of perineal necrotising fasciitis in a context of immunosuppression, as in the case we report. This origin must be quickly identified because the therapeutic management, especially surgery, is unlikely to be the same as usual. Similarly, antibiotic treatment is also a matter of discussion due to the potential deleterious role of antibiotics in pseudomembranous colitis.

The role of acute care surgery in the treatment of severe, complicated Clostridium difficile-associated disease

Clostridium difficile associated disease (CDAD) is the result of colonic bacterial overgrowth with this gram positive anaerobic organism and the production of toxins that typically induce diarrhea. Most patients with CDAD respond to treatment with oral metronidazole or vancomycin, but a subset of patients will develop a severe systemic illness, multiple organ failure, and death. There are no reliable combinations of clinical or laboratory findings that will distinguish patients who will respond to medical therapy and those who will progress to a more complicated state. Early surgical consultation should be considered in patients with ileus, severe abdominal pain, significant tenderness, immunosuppression, advanced age, high white blood cell or band counts, acute renal failure, mental status changes, or cardiopulmonary compromise. The standard operation for fulminant colitis is subtotal colectomy but the high mortality of the operation, and the long-term morbidity even in survivors combine to act as deterrents to early surgical consultation and operation. Novel operative approaches that preserve the colon and minimize operative morbidity may prove to remove the barriers to earlier surgical treatment for fulminant CDAD and improve outcomes.

Clostridium difficile infection: new insights into management

Clostridium difficile was first described as a cause of diarrhea in 1978 and is now among the leading 3 hospital-acquired infections in the United States, along with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and vancomycin-resistant enterococci. In the past 2 decades, there has been an increase in the incidence, severity, and recurrence rates of C difficile infection, all of which are associated with poor outcomes. In addition, several novel risk factors and newer treatment methods are emerging, including fidaxomicin therapy, treatment using monoclonal antibodies, and fecal microbiota transplantation, that have shown promise for the treatment of C difficile infection. This review focuses on the changing epidemiology, risk factors, and newer methods for treatment of C difficile infection.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of outcomes following emergency surgery for Clostridium difficile colitis

BACKGROUND

Only a small proportion of patients with severe Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) undergo emergency surgery, the timing and nature of which is unclear. The aim of this study was to describe the operations performed and to identify factors predictive of death following emergency surgery for CDI.

METHODS

A systematic review of published literature was performed for studies comparing survivors and non-survivors of emergency surgery for CDI. Meta-analysis was carried out for 30-day and in-hospital mortality.

RESULTS

Overall 31 studies were included, which presented data on a total of 1433 patients undergoing emergency surgery for CDI. Some 1·1 per cent of all patients with CDI and 29·9 per cent with severe CDI underwent emergency surgery, although rates varied between studies (0·2-7·6 and 2·2-86 per cent respectively). The most commonly performed operation was total colectomy with end ileostomy (89·0 per cent, 1247 of 1401 detailed surgical procedures). When total colectomy with end ileostomy was not performed, reoperation to resect further bowel was needed in 15·9 per cent (20 of 126). Where described, the 30-day mortality rate was 41·3 per cent (160 of 387). Meta-analysis of high-quality studies revealed that the strongest predictors of postoperative death were those relating to preoperative physiological status: preoperative intubation, acute renal failure, multiple organ failure and shock requiring vasopressors.

CONCLUSION

This systematic review supports total colectomy with end ileostomy as the primary surgical treatment for patients with severe CDI; other surgical procedures are associated with high rates of reoperation and mortality. Less extensive surgery may have a role in selected patients with earlier-stage disease.

Identifying patients at risk of severe Clostridium difficile-associated disease

Clostridium difficile infection is responsible for a wide spectrum of clinical presentations, ranging from mild diarrhoea to fatal toxic colitis. This article reviews factors which may identify individuals who are at high risk of severe C. difficile-associated disease, and aims to help clinicians predict patients at risk of severe disease.

A multicenter study of Clostridium difficile infection-related colectomy, 2000-2006

OBJECTIVE

To assess Clostridium difficile infection (CDI)-related colectomy rates by CDI surveillance definitions and over time at multiple healthcare facilities.

SETTING

Five university-affiliated acute care hospitals in the United States.

DESIGN AND METHODS

Cases of CDI and patients who underwent colectomy from July 2000 through June 2006 were identified from 5 US tertiary care centers. Monthly CDI-related colectomy rates were calculated as the number of CDI-related colectomies per 1,000 CDI cases, and cases were categorized according to recommended surveillance definitions. Logistic regression was performed to evaluate risk factors for CDI-related colectomy.

RESULTS

In total, 8,569 cases of CDI were identified, and 75 patients underwent CDI-related colectomy. The overall colectomy rate was 8.7 per 1,000 CDI cases. The CDI-related colectomy rate ranged from 0 to 23 per 1,000 CDI episodes across hospitals. The colectomy rate for healthcare-facility-onset CDI was 4.3 per 1,000 CDI cases, and that for community-onset CDI was 16.5 per 1,000 CDI cases (P < .05). There were significantly more CDI-related colectomies at hospitals B and C (P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

The overall CDI-related colectomy rate was low, and there was no significant change in the CDI-related colectomy rate over time. Onset of disease outside the study hospital was an independent risk factor for colectomy.

Current strategies for management of initial Clostridium difficile infection

In the past decade, an epidemic strain of Clostridium difficile has led to increased incidence and severity of nosocomial C. difficile infections (CDI). Responsiveness to standard antimicrobial care for this strain is declining, and the morbidity and mortality of CDI and recurrent CDI are rising. Effective management requires a coordinated effort among all members of the healthcare team to facilitate early identification of patients at risk for CDI, early recognition of disease onset and confirmatory testing, prompt initiation of the most appropriate management approach, and ongoing monitoring throughout the continuum of care. Hospitalists, as coordinators of patient care, are in an ideal position to ensure that patients receive prompt and optimal treatment based on current clinical evidence and severity of the disease.

Clinical approach to severe Clostridium difficile infection: update for the hospital practitioner

The rising incidence of Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) infection or CDI is now a problem of pandemic proportions. The NAP1 hypervirulent strain of C. difficile is responsible for a majority of recent epidemics and the widespread use of fluoroquinolone antibiotics may have facilitated the selective proliferation of this strain. The NAP1 strain also is more likely to cause severe and fulminant colitis characterized by marked leukocytosis, renal failure, hemodynamic instability, and toxic megacolon. No single test suffices to diagnose severe CDI, instead; the clinician must rely on a combination of clinical acumen, laboratory testing, and radiologic and endoscopic modalities. Although oral vancomycin and metronidazole are considered standard therapies in the medical management of CDI, recently it has been demonstrated that vancomycin is the more effective antibiotic in cases of severe disease. Moreover, early surgical consultation is necessary in patients who do not respond to medical therapy or who demonstrate rising white blood cell counts or hemodynamic instability indicative of fulminant colitis. Subtotal colectomy with end ileostomy is the procedure of choice for fulminant colitis. When applied to select patients in a judicious and timely fashion, surgery can be a life-saving intervention. In addition to these therapeutic approaches, several investigational treatments including novel antibiotics, fecal bacteriotherapy and immunotherapy have shown promise in the care of patients with severe CDI.

Indications and Relative Utility of Lower Endoscopy in the Management of Clostridium difficile Infection

Background. Diagnosis and management of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) rely upon clinical assessments and diagnostic studies. Among diagnostic tests, lower gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy in the setting of CDI remains controversial. Objective. To describe the role of lower endoscopy in CDI management. Methods. Retrospective study of lower endoscopies in CDI at four metropolitan hospitals, July 2005 through December 2007. Results. Of 1760 CDI inpatients, 45 lower endoscopies were performed on 43 patients. Most common indications were ruling out other etiologies (42%), inconclusive stool studies (36%), and worsening course (11%). Most endoscopies (73%) had positive findings, including pseudomembranous colitis (49%) and nonspecific colitis (24%). Biopsies were performed in 31 cases, more with nonspecific colitis (10/11, 92%) compared to pseudomembranous colitis (14/22, 64%). Conclusion. While not recommended as a primary screening tool, lower GI endoscopy can add valuable information in CDI when other colonic pathologies may exist, studies are inconclusive, or clinical status worsens.

Emergency colectomy for fulminant Clostridium difficile colitis: Striking the right balance

The number of reported cases of Clostridium difficile (CD) infections has increased markedly worldwide. CD causes a spectrum of clinical syndromes, ranging from mild diarrhea to a very severe illness in the form of pseudomembranous colitis (PMC), toxic megacolon, leading to colonic perforation, peritonitis, and even death. In today's practice, toxic megacolon is more often caused by pseudomembranous colitis than ulcerative colitis. There is urgent need to establish clear guidelines about how and when to refer patients with fulminant CD colitis to surgeons. Furthermore, there is no strict protocol for the timing of surgical intervention. The aim of this review is to review the available evidence about the criteria for referral to surgeons and timing for surgery. Medline search was carried out for articles published on fulminant CD colitis with emergency colectomy from 1966 to 2010. There were no prospective randomized trails. All retrospective cohort and case control studies were included. We excluded case reports, letters, and studies with less than five patients. Our search showed that patients with confirmed or suspected CD who failed to respond to maximum medical therapy and develop three of the following should be referral for surgical assessment: abdominal pain, abdominal distension, localized tenderness, pyrexia >38°C, and tachycardia >100 beats per minute. In addition to the above, if the patient is above 65 years old and develops four of the following, they should be considered for an emergency colectomy: WBC >16 × 10⁹/l, lactate >2.2 mmol/l, albumin <30 g/l, blood pressure <90 mm Hg, CT/endoscopy evidence of severe colitis in spite of maximum anti-clostridial therapy. Colectomy still carries a high mortality rate; however, timely surgical intervention in fulminant CD colitis (FCDC) prevents many deaths in selected cases. In the absence of published prospective multicenter trial, we suggest that our criteria may enhance early diagnosis and consideration of early referral for surgery. Ultimately, this may reduce the significant morbidity and mortality associated with FCDC.

Predictors of Fatal Outcome after Colectomy for Fulminant Clostridium difficile Colitis: A 10-Year Experience

Surgical treatment of fulminant Clostridium difficile colitis has high mortality rates. Identification of a set of preoperative characteristics that could predict outcome after surgery is necessary to optimize clinical management and guide surgical timing. Data were retrospectively collected on patients operated on for C. difficile colitis between 2000 and 2010 at our institution. Statistical analysis was performed to identify predictors of mortality. We reviewed the records of 13 inpatients diagnosed as having C. difficile colitis and who underwent colectomy during the same admission. The in-hospital mortality rate for patients undergoing colectomy for colitis was 46.2 per cent. Independent predictors of mortality included the following: white blood cell count (34,600/μL or greater), hypoalbuminemia (1.5 g/dL or less), septic shock with requirements of vasopressors, and respiratory failure. Patients who underwent colectomy earlier (mean time from presentation to surgery 2.4 ± 1.5 days) had decreased mortality ( P = 0.019).). Longer length of hospital stay to the time of diagnosis was associated with higher rates of fatal outcome ( P = 0.031). Parameters without significant difference ( P > 0.05) included patient age, presenting symptoms, other comorbidities, creatinine levels, and CT scan findings. Identified factors can predict unfavorable outcomes after colectomy. Aggressive surgical intervention early in the course of the disease might be associated with improved survival.

Unusual manifestations of Clostridium difficile infection

BACKGROUND

Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is an increasing nosocomial problem. New, more-virulent strains of C. difficile have spread across North America and Europe. Health care institutions now face a greater incidence of disease, often with greater severity. A need for surgical management for control of infection is on the increase. The clinical appearance of CDI is changed.

METHODS

We report four unusual and severe cases of CDI in surgical patients with a review of the relevant literature.

RESULTS

One patient developed CDI and required a colectomy for a perforated viscus. He developed C. difficile ileitis 12 days later that responded to medical therapy. Another patient who underwent a colectomy for infrarenal aortic occlusion, later in his hospital course, developed C. difficile ileitis and died. The third patient was hospitalized for several months for hypertension and associated morbidities. Eventually he developed severe abdominal pain and was found to have a small bowel mural abscess that grew C. difficile on culture. A fourth patient, taking long-term antibiotics for a surgical site infection of the knee, developed unexplained leukocytosis without diarrhea. Colonoscopy revealed pseudomembranous colitis that advanced to toxic megacolon. She required a colectomy and ultimately died from the disease.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients are at high risk from CDI in this modern era. Disease manifestations may differ from the typical presentation. A heightened awareness for diagnosing this dangerous, evolving disease is paramount.

Review of medical and surgical management of Clostridium difficile infection

Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) has become an important area in our daily clinical practice. C. difficile is known to cause a broad spectrum of conditions ranging from asymptomatic carriage, through mild or moderately severe disease with watery diarrhoea, to the life-threatening pseudomembranous colitis (PMC), with toxic megacolon and ileus. Peoples who have been treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics, patients with serious underlying co-morbidities and the elderly are at greatest risk. Over 80% of CDIs reported are in people aged over 65. Due to the alarming increase in its frequency, appearance of more virulent strains and occasional need for life-saving surgical intervention, a more coherent multidisciplinary approach is needed. Combination of rapid turn round time and accurate diagnosis will result in a better management of CDI and a timely implementation of infection control measure. Discontinuation of causative agents such as antibiotic treatment is often curative. In more serious cases, oral administration of metronidazole or vancomycin is the treatment of choice. Relapses of CDI have been reported in about 20-25% of cases, this may increase to 45-60% after the first recurrence. Patients should be treated as soon as possible when the diagnosis of Clostridium difficile colitis is made to avoid sepsis or bowel perforation. Colectomy may improve the outcome of the patient with systemic or complicated Clostridium difficile colitis. This article reviews the changing epidemiological picture, microbiology, histopathology and both medical and surgical managements.