Biliary sepsis. Reviewing treatment options

Effect of Intraoperatively Detected Bacteriobilia on Surgical Outcomes After Pancreatoduodenectomy: Analysis of a Prospective Database in a Single Institute

BACKGROUND

Bacteriobilia, the colonization of bacteria in bile, can be caused by obstructive cholangitis or preoperative biliary drainage (PBD), and is not uncommon condition in patients undergoing pancreatoduodenectomy (PD). This study aims to investigate the effect of intraoperatively detected bacteriobilia on surgical outcomes after PD.

METHODS

For patients who underwent PD in Samsung Medical Center between 2018 and 2020, an intraoperative bile culture was performed prospectively, and their clinicopathological data were retrospectively reviewed. Surgical outcomes were compared between the patients, classified according to PBD and bacteriobilia. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors increasing postoperative complications.

RESULTS

A total of 382 patients were included, and 202 (52.9%) patients had PBD (PBD group). Bacteriobilia was significantly more common in PBD group comparing to non-PBD group (31.1% vs 75.2%, P < 0.001), but there was no difference in postoperative complications. Among PBD group, there were more patients with major complications and CR-POPF in endoscopic drainage group comparing to percutaneous drainage group (37.9% vs 14.6%, P = 0.002; 17.0% vs 4.2%, P = 0.025, respectively). In multivariable analysis, bacteriobilia increased the risk of wound complications (P = 0.041), but not the risks of other short-term adverse outcomes.

CONCLUSION

Bacteriobilia itself does not exacerbate short-term postoperative outcomes after PD except for wound complication. Therefore, surgery could be performed as planned regardless of bacteriobilia, without the need to wait for negative cultures.

The Effect of Prophylactic Antibiotics on Post Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy Infectious Complications: A Double-Blinded Clinical Trial

Background

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is one of the most common surgeries in laparoscopic surgery. Although, it is believed that LC has low-risk for post-operative infectious complications, the use of a prophylactic antibiotic is still controversial in elective LC.

Objective

To determine the impact of prophylactic antibiotics on postoperative infection complications in elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Methods

In this double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, clinical trial, patients who were candidates for elective LC, from March 2012 to 2015, in four hospitals in Babol, Iran, were studied. Patients were allocated randomly to two groups, i.e., group C: Cefazolin (n = 182) and group P: placebo (n = 247). Group C received 1 g of Cefazolin 30 minutes before anesthesia and and then, six and 12 hours after anesthesia. Group P patients received 10 ml of isotonic sodium chloride solution. Age, gender, type of gallbladder diseases (stone, polyp, or hydrops), the length of post-operative hospitalization, frequency of gallbladder rupture, the duration of surgery, and the kinds of complications associated with infections were collected for each patient in the two groups. The data were analyzed by IBM-SPSS version 20, using the t-test and the chi-squared test, and a p-value < 0.05 was considered as significant.

Results

There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of gender (C versus P: 18 (9.9%) male versus 22 (9%); p = 0.74), age (C versus P: 43.75 + 13.30 years versus 40.91 + 13.05; p = 0.20), and duration of surgery (C versus P: 34.97 ± 8.25 min versus 34.11 ± 8.39; p = 0.71). There were no significant differences between the two groups in the incidences of post-operative infection (C versus P: 3 (1.7%) versus 5 (2%); p = 0.99) and rupture of the gallbladder (C versus P: 14 (7.8%) versus 17 (6.8%); p = 0.85). No other post-operative systemic infectious complications (e.g., sepsis, pneumonia, or urinary tract infection) were found in either group.

Conclusion

For patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC), prophylactic antibiotics had no important role in the prevention of infections; so these antibiotics apparently are not necessary in treatment, and they are not recommended for patients with laparoscopic cholecystectomy as low-risk selective antibiotics.

Trial registration

The trial was registered at the Iranian Clinical Trial Registry (http://www.irct.ir) with the IRCT identification number IRCT2013070413865N1.

Funding

This research was supported financially by the Research Council of Babol University of Medical Sciences.

Effect of cefazolin prophylaxis on postoperative infectious complications in elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a prospective randomized study

Background

In patients with symptomatic cholelithiasis, laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is the standard method of treatment. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy has a low rate of postoperative infections probably owing to smaller wounds and minimal tissue damage compared with the open procedure.

Objectives

This study assessed the effect of cefazolin prophylaxis on postoperative infection in patients undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Additionally, we determined the risk factors of cases with postoperative infection.

Patients and Methods

A total of 753 patients were enrolled in the study. Among these, 206 were excluded from the study. As a result, 547 patients with symptomatic cholelithiasis who underwent elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy were selected for this prospective study. Patients were randomized consecutively and divided into 2 groups: patients in the cefazolin (CEF) group (n = 278) received 1 g of cefazolin and those in the control group (n = 269) received 10 mL of isotonic sodium chloride solution. Patient characteristics and overall surgical outcomes were compared between the groups. All patients were followed for development of postoperative infections.

Results

Postoperative infections occurred in 4 patients in the CEF group and in 2 patients in the control group; no significant difference existed in this regard(P = .44). Risk of infection increased in patients with previous cholecystitis and/or endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (P < 0.001), patients with ruptured gallbladders, and patients for whom a suction drain was used (respectively, P < 0.001 and P < 0.001).

Conclusions

No correlation existed between cefazolin prophylaxis and postoperative infections in elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy patients. There may be an increased risk of infection in patients with previous cholecystitis or endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. In addition, there was an increased risk of postoperative infection in patients with gallbladder rupture and suction drain use.

Helicobacter pylori and cholesterol gallstone formation in C57L/J mice: a prospective study

Recently, we demonstrated that cholesterol gallstone-prone C57L/J mice rarely develop gallstones unless they are infected with certain cholelithogenic enterohepatic Helicobacter species. Because the common gastric pathogen H. pylori has been identified in the hepatobiliary tree of cholesterol gallstone patients, we wanted to ascertain if H. pylori is cholelithogenic, by prospectively studying C57L infected mice fed a lithogenic diet. Weanling, Helicobacter spp.-free male C57L mice were either infected with H. pylori SS1 or sham dosed. Mice were then fed a lithogenic diet (1.0% cholesterol, 0.5% cholic acid, and 15% dairy triglycerides) for 8 wk. At 16 wk of age, mice were euthanatized, the biliary phenotype was analyzed microscopically, and tissues were analyzed histopathologically. H. pylori infection did not promote cholesterol monohydrate crystal formation (20% vs. 10%), sandy stone formation (0% for both), or true gallstone formation (20%) compared with uninfected mice fed the lithogenic diet (10%). Additionally, H. pylori failed to stimulate mucin gel accumulation in the gallbladder or alter gallbladder size compared with uninfected animals. H. pylori-infected C57L mice developed moderate to severe gastritis by 12 wk, and the lithogenic diet itself produced lesions in the forestomach, which were exacerbated by the infection. We conclude that H. pylori infection does not play any role in murine cholesterol gallstone formation. Nonetheless, the C57L mouse develops severe lesions of both the glandular and nonglandular stomach in response to H. pylori infection and the lithogenic diet, respectively.

Empirical antibiotic treatment with piperacillin-tazobactam in patients with microbiologically-documented biliary tract infections

AIM: To report our experience with empiric antimicrobial monotherapy (piperacillin/tazobactam, of which no data are available in such specific circumstances) in microbiologically-documented infections in patients with benign and malignant conditions of the biliary tract.

METHODS: Twenty-three patients, 10 with benign and 13 with malignant conditions affecting the biliary tree and microbiologically-documented infections were recruited and the efficacy of empirical antibiotic therapy was assessed.

RESULTS: The two groups featured similar demographic and clinical data. Overall, the infective episodes were most due to Gram negative agents, more than 60% of such episodes (mostly in malignant conditions) were preceded by invasive instrumental maneuvers. Empirical antibiotic therapy with a single agent (piperacillin/tazobactam) was effective in more than 80% of cases. No deaths were reported following infections.

CONCLUSION: An empiric therapeutic approach with piperacillin/tazobactam is highly effective in biliary tract infections due to benign or malignant conditions.

Recurrent Pyogenic Cholangitis

Recurrent pyogenic cholangitis is a condition that most commonly affects patients of East Asian descent. It is characterized by recurrent bouts of cholangitis. Work-up with ultrasound, computed tomography, and more specifically magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), reveals areas of biliary dilatation and stricturing, most commonly affecting the left hepatic ducts. Initial treatment includes supportive medical therapy with intravenous fluids and electrolytes, correction of coagulopathy if present, and antibiotics. Once stabilized, patients should receive urgent biliary decompression. This may be achieved using ERCP or percutaneous transhepatic cholangiogram (PTC). ERCP is excellent at decompressing more distal obstruction, whereas PTC provides reliable drainage of peripherally obstructed bile ducts. If disease is anatomically limited, surgical resection with excision of the extrahepatic bile ducts and involved intrahepatic segments (usually left lobe) should be performed. Otherwise, repeated radiographic and endoscopic procedures will be necessary to treat recurrent cholangitis. Liver transplant may be an option for patients with diffuse disease.

Biliary tract infections: a guide to drug treatment

Initial therapy of acute cholecystitis and cholangitis is directed towards general support of the patient, including fluid and electrolyte replacement, correction of metabolic imbalances and antibacterial therapy. Factors affecting the efficacy of antibacterial therapy include the activity of the agent against the common biliary tract pathogens and pharmacokinetic properties such as tissue distribution and the ratio of concentration in both bile and serum to the minimum inhibitory concentration for the expected micro-organism. Antimicrobial therapy is usually empirical. Initial therapy should cover the Enterobacteriaceae, in particular Escherichia coli. Activity against enterococci is not required since their pathogenicity in biliary tract infections remains unclear. Coverage of anaerobes, in particular Bacteroides spp., is warranted in patients with previous bile duct-bowel anastomosis, in the elderly and in patients in serious clinical condition. In patients with acute cholecystitis or cholangitis of moderate clinical severity, monotherapy with a ureidopenicillin--mezlocillin or piperacillin--is at least as effective as the combination of ampicillin plus aminoglycoside. In severely ill patients with septicaemia, an antibacterial combination is preferable. Therapy with aminoglycosides, mostly for Pseudomonas aeruginosa-related infections, should not exceed a few days because the risk of nephrotoxicity seems to be increased during cholestasis. Relief of biliary obstruction is mandatory, even if there is clinical improvement with conservative therapy, because cholangitis is most likely to recur with continued obstruction. Emergency invasive therapy is reserved for patients who fail to show a clinical response to antibacterial therapy within the first 36 to 48 hours or for those who deteriorate after an initial clinical improvement. Immediate surgery is indicated for gangrenous cholecystitis and perforation with peritonitis. Long-term administration of antibacterials is required for recurrent cholangitis, as seen in bile duct-bowel anastomosis. Oral cotrimoxazole (trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole) is the preferred agent. Wound infection rates after biliary tract surgery can be significantly reduced by preoperative administration of prophylactic antibacterials. Newer generation beta-lactams have not proven to be of greater benefit than older agents such as cefuroxime or cefazolin. Antibacterial prophylaxis before endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) should be reserved for patients with obstructive jaundice, since the risk of infectious complications seems to be strongly associated with this clinical condition. Failure to achieve full biliary drainage is the most important factor in predicting septicaemia, and prophylaxis should be prolonged until the bile duct is unobstructed. Piperacillin, cefazolin, cefuroxime, cefotaxime and ciprofloxacin are effective for this indication.

Double-blind comparison of cefazolin and ceftizoxime for prophylaxis against infections following elective biliary tract surgery

Antibiotics have been shown to reduce the incidence of wound infections after elective biliary tract procedures. Cefazolin and cefoxitin are among the agents most commonly promoted for this purpose. Cefoxitin has been substituted with ceftizoxime in many institutions; however, the role of ceftizoxime as a prophylactic agent in this setting has not been determined. To assess the comparative prophylactic efficacies of cefazolin and ceftizoxime in biliary tract surgery, we conducted a double-blind, randomized prospective clinical trial in a tertiary-care teaching hospital. Adult patients were randomized to one of two treatment groups and received a 30-min preoperative dose of study drug and as many as two postoperative doses at 12 and 24 h, depending on hospitalization status. Cefazolin and ceftizoxime were given as 1,000-mg doses. Patients with infections, those receiving prior antibiotics, or those with beta-lactam allergies were excluded. Over the 19-month study tenure, 167 patients were enrolled. Seventeen patients were excluded from analysis because of protocol violations. Of the 150 evaluable patients (72 and 78 receiving cefazolin and ceftizoxime doses, respectively), there was no significant difference among groups regarding sex, age, weight, preoperative Apache II score, baseline chemistry, and hematological parameters. Groups were also equivalent regarding the surgeon, type of procedure, characteristics (blood loss, drains, organ injury, and complications), and duration of hospital stay (mean, 5.6 versus 4.3 days [P = 0.31]). No clinical evidence of infection (7-day hospital stay and 30-day follow-up) was identified in 93% of cefazolin and 92% of ceftizoxime patients (P = 1.0). Microbiological confirmation was found in only 18% of primary-site infections. In conclusion, cefazolin and ceftizoxime appear to be equivalent for the prevention of infection in biliary tract surgery with the dosage regimens studied.

A prospective study of septic complications of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography

Prophylactic antibiotics are used in an attempt to avoid the septic complications of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). We prospectively performed blood cultures and surveyed patients for complications. The aims were first, to determine the incidence of bacteraemia associated with ERCP, second, to assess the incidence of clinical sepsis following the procedure and third, to evaluate the effectiveness of our antibiotic prophylaxis. One hundred and fifty successive patients underwent 179 ERCP. Bacteraemia related to the procedure or the underlying pathology was found in nine procedures (5.2%). Bacteraemias were more likely to complicate therapeutic procedures (P = 0.015), biliary obstruction (P = 0.045) or underlying pathology (P = 0.022). Although 61% of ERCP received antibiotics, 22 septic events occurred. Five bacteraemic patients were septic despite antibiotics. Septic complications were associated with the same factors as bacteraemia. It was concluded that patients with biliary obstruction and undergoing therapeutic endoscopic procedures are at greatest risk of bacteraemia. Single dose prophylactic antibiotics may not prevent sepsis in these patients and longer-acting drugs or repeated dosing may be necessary.

Prospective, randomized study comparing amoxycillin-clavulanic acid and cefamandole for the prevention of wound infection in high-risk patients undergoing elective biliary surgery

The efficacy of amoxycillin-clavulanic acid for prevention of postoperative wound infection was compared with that of cefamandole in 150 patients at risk for infected bile while undergoing elective biliary surgery in a prospective, randomized study. The two groups were comparable for age, sex, risk factors, operative procedures and positive bile cultures. Similar numbers of patients had an uncomplicated postoperative course (amoxycillin-clavulanic acid 70%; cefamandole 73%). Four patients in each group developed wound infection. The incidence of postoperative pneumonia, urinary tract infection and number of days (+/- SD) in hospital (amoxycillin-clavulanic acid 10.1 +/- 4.7; cefamandole 9.7 +/- 5.6) were similar. The efficacy of amoxycillin-clavulanic acid and cefamandole in preventing wound sepsis in high-risk patients undergoing biliary surgery was similar. Economic considerations may favour the use of amoxycillin-clavulanic acid.