Thoracic catheter-related infections

OBJECTIVE

To determine the incidence of local and systemic infection in a sample of patients catheterized with thoracic catheters (TCs) and to identify the prognostic factors for catheter-related infection.

METHODS

A retrospective study involving 48 patients (17 females and 31 males) catheterized with TCs between December of 2008 and March of 2009 in the Thoracic Surgery Department of the Adnan Menderes University Hospital, located in Aydin, Turkey. Blood samples for culture were collected from the distal end of each TC and from each of the 48 patients. We looked for correlations between positive culture and possible prognostic factors for catheter-related infection.

RESULTS

Culture results were positive in TC samples only for 3 patients, in blood samples only for 2, and in both types of samples for another 2. Advanced age correlated significantly with positive culture in TC samples and in blood samples (r = 0.512 and r = 0.312, respectively; p < 0.05 for both), as did prolonged catheterization (r = 0.347 and r = 0.372, respectively; p < 0.05). There was a significant correlation between having undergone surgery and positive culture in TC samples only (p < 0.05). However, having an inoperable malignancy correlated with bacterial growth in blood and in TC samples alike (p < 0.05 for both).

CONCLUSIONS

Risk factors, such as advanced age, prolonged catheterization, comorbidities, and inoperable malignancy, increase the risk of catheter-related infection. It is imperative that prophylaxis with broad-spectrum antibiotics be administered to patients who present with these risk factors and might be catheterized with a TC.

[Minimally invasive approach in the pleural fluids]

The excess production or depleted absorbtion of pleural fluid is the major mechanism of pleural effusion formation. Primary lung pathologies or pathologies that originated from the other organs can be cause of pleural effusion. The search for suitable, practical and ideal treatment is continued at the present day. We have reviewed 94 patients with pleural effusion that have been treated by 10F catheter with local anesthesia in 2007-2008. The patient with dispenea, massive effusion or reoccurrent pleural effusion have been administrated pleural catheter through 7th or 8th intercostal interspace with local anesthesia. The mean age of patients (58 male, 36 female) was 57.2 (26-94). The most common etiologic causes were primary broncho carcinoma (34 cases 36.1%), cardiac failure (11 cases 11.1%) and empyema (eight cases 9.5%). Fifty three (56.3%) have been administrated pleurodesis because of treatment failure or reoccurrence. In 19 of these cases (20.2%), pleurodesis was successful. Pleurodesis agent was talc or tetracycline according to patients pain threshold. The treatment methods of pleural effusion include thoracentesis, thoracoscopy, tube thoracostomy and catheters with permanent tunnel. The simple and small-diameter catheters are administrated easily with minimal morbidity and no mortality. It's not only used in malign effusion but also used in benign effusion. Finally, simple catheter can be first treatment choice in short-term therapy and alternative choice in long-term therapy because of it's administrating facility, effectiveness in pleurodesis and cost-effectiveness.