Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

Surg Infect (Larchmt) 2019 Feb 15. Epub 2019 Feb 15.

3 Department of Surgery, Division of Acute Care Surgery Rutgers-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, New Jersey.

Background: Hospital over-capacity often forces boarding patients outside of their designated intensive care unit (ICU). Anecdotal evidence suggested medical intensive care unit (MICU) patients boarding in the surgical intensive care unit (SICU) were responsible for increases in healthcare-associated infection (HAI) rates. We studied the effect of ICU boarding on rates of SICU HAIs. Read More

Surg Infect (Larchmt) 2019 Feb 14. Epub 2019 Feb 14.

1 Department of Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery and Children's Memorial Health Institute, Warsaw, Poland.

Background: Prophylactic antibiotic therapy is given routinely in the peri-operative period to prevent surgical site infection. However, in pediatric cardiac surgery, an optimal schedule has not been defined. Pediatric recommendations follow the guidelines for adults, which might be improper because of the inherent challenges in pediatric research and the heterogeneity of the population. Read More

Surg Infect (Larchmt) 2019 Feb 11. Epub 2019 Feb 11.

1 Department of Visceral Surgery, Lausanne University Hospital CHUV, Lausanne, Switzerland.

Background: The present study aimed to analyze risk factors and management strategies for organ space infections (OSI) specifically after colonic resections.

Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of all consecutive colonic resections performed between February 2012 and October 2017 in a single-center quality-improvement project. All OSIs were assessed prospectively by an independent national surveillance program ( www. Read More

Surg Infect (Larchmt) 2019 Feb 8. Epub 2019 Feb 8.

3 Faculty of Health Science, Department of Social Work, Manisa Celal Bayar University, Manisa, Turkey.

Background: Glove perforation is common during surgery. Surgical gloves are used as personal protective equipment to reduce infection risks from bloodborne pathogens for both the surgical team and patients. This research was conducted to determine the perforation rates of gloves worn in open abdominal surgery performed in a general surgery department and the risk factors affecting perforation. Read More

Surg Infect (Larchmt) 2019 Feb 8. Epub 2019 Feb 8.

Kirikkale University School of Medicine, Department of General Surgery, Kirikkale, Turkey.

Background: Despite surgical treatment of peptic ulcer perforation (PUP), the high rates of morbidity and mortality have motivated researchers to search for new laboratory markers to predict morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to investigate the relation between pre-operative laboratory values and demographic factors and post-operative mortality in patients undergoing surgery for PUP.

Patients And Methods: A retrospective study was made of the clinical findings and laboratory data of patients operated on for a diagnosis of PUP in the general surgery clinic between 2014 and 2018. Read More

Surg Infect (Larchmt) 2019 Feb 8. Epub 2019 Feb 8.

1 Department of Surgery, Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China.

Background: Klebsiella pneumoniae has gained notoriety because of its high antibiotic resistance and mortality. We compared the clinical features and outcomes of polymicrobial bacteremia involving K. pneumoniae (PBKP). Read More

Surg Infect (Larchmt) 2019 Feb 6. Epub 2019 Feb 6.

1 Department of Surgery, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Background: Our center initiated an electronic Sepsis Best Practice Alert (sBPA) protocol to aid in early sepsis detection and treatment. However, surgery alters peri-operative physiology, which may trigger an sBPA for noninfectious causes. This study aimed to provide early evaluation of automated sBPA utility in surgical patients. Read More

Surg Infect (Larchmt) 2019 Feb 6. Epub 2019 Feb 6.

Division of Surgical Research, Department of Surgery, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, Rhode Island.

Background: The influenza virus is a pathogenic virus responsible for large numbers of deaths and long-term disabilities worldwide. Although the very young, the very old, and immunocompromised individuals are most susceptible, the effects of the influenza virus can be observed across the entire spectrum of individuals.

Discussion: Infection with the influenza virus induces a substantial inflammatory and immunologic response and induces marked pulmonary inflammation. Read More

Surg Infect (Larchmt) 2019 Feb 5. Epub 2019 Feb 5.

1 Department of Gastric Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, China.

Background: The objective of the study was to investigate the effects of intra-abdominal infection after curative gastrectomy on the prognosis of patients.

Patients And Methods: Data were collected for enrolled patients who underwent curative gastrectomy in two centers; the relationship between intra-abdominal infection and prognosis was analyzed.

Results: Of the 5,721 patients in the entire group, intra-abdominal infection occurred in 202 (3. Read More

Surg Infect (Larchmt) 2019 Feb 4. Epub 2019 Feb 4.

Department of Surgery, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Background: Current guidelines for the treatment of Clostridium difficile infections (CDIs) recommend vancomycin enemas for patients with adynamic ileus. There is significant variability in guideline recommendations for vancomycin dose and enema volume and whether a retention enema should be used. The most recent (2017) guidelines from the Infectious Diseases Society of America/Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America recommend rectal instillation of 500 mg of vancomycin in 100 mL of physiologic saline every 6 hours as a retention enema. Read More

Surg Infect (Larchmt) 2019 Feb 4. Epub 2019 Feb 4.

1 Department of Pharmacy and The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio.

Background: Necrotizing soft-tissue infection (NSTI) is a devastating disease associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality. Hyperglycemia is associated with poor wound healing; however, there are no studies evaluating glycemic control outcomes in patients with NSTI. The objective of this study was to examine disease progression and death in patients with NSTI who achieved early glycemic control (EGC) compared with patients that did not. Read More

Surg Infect (Larchmt) 2019 Feb 1. Epub 2019 Feb 1.

Antalya Training and Research Hospital, Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Antalya, Turkey.

Background: Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is performed to improve the quality of life by reducing knee arthralgia. One of the most destructive and expensive complications of TKA is deep infection. The primary purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of using antibiotic-loaded bone cement (ALBC) on the incidence of deep infection after primary TKA. Read More

Surg Infect (Larchmt) 2019 Feb 1. Epub 2019 Feb 1.

Department of Transplantation Surgery, The 309th Hospital of Chinese People's Liberation Army, Beijing, China.

Objective: To investigate the characteristics of BK virus (BKV) specific cellular immune response in the recipients who have early infection with BKV after renal transplantation.

Methods: The recipients of renal allografts (n = 30) were divided into groups of BK virus nephropathy (BKVN), viruria, and viremia. The BKV load was observed with real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction in urine and blood every three months. Read More

Surg Infect (Larchmt) 2019 Jan 31. Epub 2019 Jan 31.

1 Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Prosthetic contamination and biofilm formation continue to plague implanted materials. With increasing resistance to traditional antibiotic regimens, alternative approaches to preventing bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation have focused on the physiochemical properties of the prosthetics. Roughness, topography, hydrophobicity, porosity, charge, stiffness, and surface area all influence the processes of adhesion and colonization leading to biofilm formation. Read More

Surg Infect (Larchmt) 2019 Jan 30. Epub 2019 Jan 30.

Department of Surgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Surgical infections present a significant burden of disease globally. Management focuses on source control and appropriate antibiotic therapy. This remains a challenge in low- and middle-income settings, where access to surgical care and antibiotics is limited. Read More

Surg Infect (Larchmt) 2019 Jan 28. Epub 2019 Jan 28.

1 School of Medicine, Health Sciences Faculty, Department of Surgery, Universidad Industrial de Santander, Bucaramanga, Colombia.

Background: Routine screening and treatment for pre-operative asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) before joint arthroplasty are controversial. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the impact of ASB and other bacterial colonization markers (BCM) observed in abnormal urine analyses, such as positive nitrites, leukocyturia, or positive leukocyte esterase in the risk of surgical site infections (SSIs) of joint arthroplasty patients.

Methods: Studies published between 1970 and 2017 that reported data on SSI and prosthetic joint infection (PJI) in patients after joint arthroplasty of the hip, knee, or shoulder with pre-operative ASB or BCM were included. Read More

Surg Infect (Larchmt) 2019 Jan 24. Epub 2019 Jan 24.

Division of Acute Care Surgery, Department of Surgery, Hartford Hospital, Hartford, Connecticut and Department of Surgery, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Bethesda, Maryland.

Background: Infection control is a critical aspect in the continuum of surgical care. Much of what is outlined in the literature pertains to hospital-based practice, with only recent attention paid to the more austere environments, particularly those faced during humanitarian or combat operations.

Objective: This manuscript provides a brief historical review of the development of infection control practices and further identifies and outlines several aspects necessary to successful program applications in austere environments. Read More

Surg Infect (Larchmt) 2019 Jan 24. Epub 2019 Jan 24.

1 Shriners Hospital for Children Northern California, Sacramento, California.

Background: Infection is a common complication of burn injury caused by the loss of skin (the primary defense against micro-organisms) as well as burn-induced immunosuppression. Essentially, survival after burn injury is determined by whether wound healing or infection predominates. The purpose of this article is to describe how burn unit structure and design may impact the incidence of infection after burn injury. Read More

Surg Infect (Larchmt) 2019 Jan 24. Epub 2019 Jan 24.

1 Department of Surgery, MetroHealth Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio.

Background: After publication of the Study to Optimize Peritoneal Infection Therapy (STOP IT) trial, we sought to determine if we were implementing study findings into practice appropriately. We had three objectives: evaluate antibiotic usage; evaluate patient outcomes; and delineate differences in antibiotic usage between general surgeons (GS) and trauma/acute care surgery trained surgeons (TACS).

Patients And Methods: This was an analysis of patients with complicated intra-abdominal infection admitted via the emergency department from February 2014 through May 2017. Read More

Surg Infect (Larchmt) 2019 Jan 18. Epub 2019 Jan 18.

Department of General Pediatric Surgery, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children's Health, Beijing, China.

Background: Cholangitis is the most common complication after the Kasai procedure. It can be life-threatening and may affect long- and short-term outcomes of children with biliary atresia. We summarize our experiences in the prevention of early-onset cholangitis. Read More

Surg Infect (Larchmt) 2019 Jan 18. Epub 2019 Jan 18.

2 Department of Visceral Surgery, Lausanne University Hospital CHUV, Switzerland.

Background: Reported incidence of surgical site infections (SSI) after colonic surgery varies widely. These variations depend not only on patient- and surgery-related parameters but are influenced by type and quality of follow-up. The aim of the study was to compare SSI assessed by two independent prospective surveillance systems, a national surveillance program based on recommendations of the National Healthcare Safety Network (Swissnoso) versus an international audit system, the ERAS Interactive Audit System (EIAS; Encare, Stockholm, Sweden). Read More

Surg Infect (Larchmt) 2019 Jan 18. Epub 2019 Jan 18.

Department of Clinical Laboratory Center, Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital, Yantai, Shandong, China.

Aim: To discuss the significance and applied value in the rapid identification and drug susceptibility test for blood stream infection (BSI) using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) combined with flow cytometry (FCM).

Methods: The bacteria were separated from the positive blood culture bottle using the separation gel-adsorption method system, and then applying MALDI-TOF MS combined with FCM to identify pathogen and drug susceptibility test quickly.

Results: The efficiency of the separation gel-adsorption method for gram-negative bacterium, gram-positive bacteria, and fungi is 71%, 74%, and 88%, respectively. Read More

Surg Infect (Larchmt) 2019 Jan 18. Epub 2019 Jan 18.

Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts.

Background: Intra-operative adverse events (iAEs) recently were shown to correlate independently with an increased risk of post-operative death, morbidity, re-admissions, and length of hospital stay. We sought to understand further the impact of iAEs on surgical site infections (SSIs) in abdominal surgical procedures and delineate which patient populations are most affected. We hypothesized that all patients with iAEs have an increased risk for SSI, especially those with pre-existing risk factors for SSI. Read More

Surg Infect (Larchmt) 2019 Jan 18. Epub 2019 Jan 18.

1 Department of Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois.

Background: The alcohol rub has been proposed as an alternative to the traditional surgical scrub in preparing the hands for surgical procedures. Few reviews have examined critically the evidence that favors or discredits the use of the alcohol rub instead of the traditional scrub.

Methods: A review of available published literature was undertaken to define the evidence for the best methods for hand preparation before surgical procedures. Read More

Surg Infect (Larchmt) 2019 Jan 17. Epub 2019 Jan 17.

1 School of Nursing, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.

Background: Despite the indisputable need to prevent peri-operative hypothermia, some evidence in the literature questions the possible role of forced air warming systems as a risk factor for the occurrence of surgical site infection. The objective of the study is to evaluate the micro-biologic safety of a forced air warming systems (FAW) in relation to the risk of emission of micro-organisms in the surgical environment.

Methods: A quantitative, descriptive-exploratory laboratory study performed in a large hospital. Read More

Surg Infect (Larchmt) 2019 Jan 16. Epub 2019 Jan 16.

2 Palisades Medical Center, Hackensack University Medical Center, North Bergen, New Jersey.

Extensive studies on foot traffic in the operating room (OR) have shown little correlation between surgical site infections (SSIs) and traffic of OR personnel in and out of the OR. While evidence supports the relation between foot traffic in the OR, airborne bacteria, and subsequent SSIs in orthopedic surgical procedures, the studies were conducted over four years and in more than 8,000 patients. The direct relation this finding has to general surgery patients has yet to be proven; however, protocols to reduce foot traffic may have a beneficial effect for the OR team. Read More

Surg Infect (Larchmt) 2019 Jan 10. Epub 2019 Jan 10.

Department of Surgery, Section of Trauma & Critical Care, Stanford University Stanford, California.

Background: Abdominal infections following surgery have many severe consequences. Several effective, well-evaluated infection prevention and control processes exist to avoid these infections.

Methods: This manuscript reviews and provides supporting evidence for common management strategies useful to avoid postoperative abdominal infection. Read More

Surg Infect (Larchmt) 2019 Jan 7. Epub 2019 Jan 7.

1 Department of Surgery, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing, China.

Background: Post-operative anastomotic leak (PAL) is the most feared complication after abdominal surgery. Timely drainage of enteric effluent is beneficial in the healing of PAL.

Methods: We introduced a new and feasible approach for early active drainage of PAL using fine tube bundles (FTBs). Read More

Surg Infect (Larchmt) 2018 Dec 31. Epub 2018 Dec 31.

1 Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Wansbeck Hospital, Northumberland, United Kingdom.

Background: Surgical site infection is associated with a substantial healthcare burden and remains one of the most challenging complications to treat. Airborne particles carrying contaminating micro-organisms are responsible for the majority of these infections.

Methods: Various operating theater ventilatory systems have been developed to prevent direct airborne bacterial inoculation of the surgical wound. Read More

Surg Infect (Larchmt) 2018 Dec 27. Epub 2018 Dec 27.

3 TCM Hospital Group, Shenzhen, China.

Surg Infect (Larchmt) 2018 Dec 27. Epub 2018 Dec 27.

1 Department of Urology, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan City, Taiwan.

Background And Aim: Infection or bleeding after transrectal prostate biopsy remains a concern of both patients and urologists. We explored the risk of association of certain co-morbidities with both complications.

Patients And Methods: Using the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database, we identified patients undergoing prostate biopsy from 2000 to 2013. Read More

Surg Infect (Larchmt) 2018 Dec 11. Epub 2018 Dec 11.

1 Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center , St. Louis, Missouri.

Background: No consensus exists regarding duration of antibiotic therapy for complicated appendicitis treated with interval appendectomy. We hypothesized that more than two weeks of antibiotic therapy does not decrease complication rates in asymptomatic patients.

Patients And Methods: A retrospective review of all patients with complicated appendicitis treated with interval appendectomy from 2010-2015 was performed. Read More

Surg Infect (Larchmt) 2018 Dec 11. Epub 2018 Dec 11.

Comprehensive Hernia Center, Digestive Disease and Surgical Institute , Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio.

Background: The management of incisions and decisions on closure techniques for surgical wounds are driven by expected incisional morbidity and the severity of the potential morbidity for the patient.

Methods: This article reviews current literature on the potential strategies to be considered in closing the skin and fascia of incisions.

Results: The review of the literature indicates that low-risk wounds for infection should be closed primarily with subcuticular suture, and adjunctive local measures should be avoided. Read More

Surg Infect (Larchmt) 2018 Nov 29. Epub 2018 Nov 29.

MetroHealth Medical Center , Cleveland, Ohio.

Background: Renovating or building a new intensive care unit (ICU) can be a challenging project. Planning the renovation or rebuild as a quality improvement project will help break down the process into manageable pieces with clear goals.

Methods: Literature was reviewed with regards to ICU design and renovation, with specific attention to patient quality improvement, process and structural change, healthcare systems engineering, emerging technology, and infection control. Read More

Surg Infect (Larchmt) 2019 Jan 27;20(1):91-94. Epub 2018 Nov 27.

2 Department of Gastroenterology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research , Chandigarh, India .

Aim: To evaluate the efficacy of ultrasound-guided (USG) fine-needle aspiration cytology examination (FNAC) of the omentum in the diagnosis of abdominal tuberculosis (TB).

Methods: Retrospective review was conducted of data from patients who presented with clinically suspected peritoneal TB between June 2016 and April 2018. We included patients in whom imaging showed omental thickening with or without ascites. Read More

Surg Infect (Larchmt) 2019 Jan 14;20(1):83-90. Epub 2018 Nov 14.

9 Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia .

Background: The occurrence of complicated intra-abdominal infections (cIAI) remains high despite system improvement in accordance with Joint Commission International because of heterogeneity of management. However, published clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) were not feasible to be implemented because these guidelines were not specific to Indonesian characteristics. Thus, a national CPG should be developed to minimize heterogeneity in the management of cIAI in Indonesia. Read More

Surg Infect (Larchmt) 2019 Jan 7;20(1):78-82. Epub 2018 Nov 7.

Faculty of Medicine, Department of General Surgery, Kirikkale University , Kirikkale, Turkey .

Background: The objective of this study was to determine the clinical and laboratory features affecting mortality in Fournier gangrene.

Patients And Methods: This retrospective case control study was designed to evaluate patients treated for Fournier gangrene in our center between 2010 and 2018. Those patients were divided into two groups: discharged patients (group 1) and deceased patients (group 2). Read More

Surg Infect (Larchmt) 2018 Nov 3. Epub 2018 Nov 3.

Department of Surgery, Oregon Health and Science University , Portland, Oregon.

Despite significant improvements in peri-operative care, surgical site infections (SSIs) remain an important contributor to morbidity, cost, and death. The human gastrointestinal tract is a complex microenvironment linking host cells and the indigenous microflora or "microbiome," creating a "super-organism" that engages in macro-nutrient and micro-nutrient extraction for the host while serving as a barrier to toxins and other detrimental bacterial end-products. Maintaining a healthy microbiome in the peri-operative period may enable control of multi-drug resistance (MDR) organisms, whereas use of antibiotics simply resets the dysbiotic relation by eliminating multiple strains of bacteria. Read More

Surg Infect (Larchmt) 2018 Nov 15. Epub 2018 Nov 15.

1 Division of Critical Care Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital , Boston, Massachusetts.

Background: The gram-negative bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa causes a wide range of infections, mostly in hospitalized and immunocompromised patients, those with burns, surgical wounds, or combat-related wounds, and in people with cystic fibrosis. The increasing antibiotic resistance of P. aeruginosa confers a pressing need for vaccines, yet there are no P. Read More

Surg Infect (Larchmt) 2019 Jan 1;20(1):71-77. Epub 2018 Nov 1.

2 Surgical Nursing Specialty Graduate Program, Bahir Dar University College of Medicine and Health Science , Bahir Dar, Ethiopia .

Background: Surgical site infections (SSIs), a type of nosocomial infection, are a leading cause of morbidity and death and increase the overall cost of care. The processes and procedures involved in the operations can endanger the life of the patient significantly. Knowledge of, and nurse practice focused on, the prevention of SSIs have not been studied well in Ethiopia, especially in our area. Read More

Surg Infect (Larchmt) 2018 Oct 30. Epub 2018 Oct 30.

MPA Healthcare Solutions, Chicago, IL; Department of Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois; Department of Surgery, University of New Mexico School of Medicine , Albuquerque, New Mexico .

Surg Infect (Larchmt) 2019 Jan 26;20(1):1-3. Epub 2018 Oct 26.

Surg Infect (Larchmt) 2019 Jan 25;20(1):95-99. Epub 2018 Oct 25.

Department of Surgery, Stanford University , Stanford, California.

Background: Intussusception is the process by which one segment of intestine "telescopes" into another segment. Escherichia coli O157:H7 is a rare cause of intussusception that uncommonly requires a surgical procedure.

Methods: Case report and literature review. Read More

Surg Infect (Larchmt) 2018 Oct 25. Epub 2018 Oct 25.

Department of Surgery, University of Chicago , Chicago, Illinois.

Background: Bacterial virulence is a dynamic property of pathogens that is expressed in a context-dependent manner. For a bacterial pathogen, the expression of virulence is a tradeoff, as there is an energy cost that can disturb other functions. As a result, virulence is activated only when bacteria sense the need for it. Read More

Surg Infect (Larchmt) 2019 Jan 24;20(1):62-70. Epub 2018 Oct 24.

Department of Visceral, General, and Thoracic Surgery, Marienhospital Stuttgart , Stuttgart, Germany .

Background: Surgical site infections (SSIs), after colorectal resection, pose a significant burden. Recognition of the spectrum of potentially involved pathogens is crucial for determining correct antibiotic prophylaxis. This study aimed to determine whether the distribution of SSI-associated pathogens depends on the location of the colorectal resection. Read More

Surg Infect (Larchmt) 2018 Oct 23. Epub 2018 Oct 23.

3 Zhuji Central Hospital , Zhuji, Shaoxin, Zhejiang Province, China .

Background: Emphysematous cholecystitis and spontaneous hepatic hemorrhage are uncommon and serious conditions with non-specific presentations that can lead to a poor clinical outcome. We report a case of spontaneous hepatic hemorrhage of emphysematous cholecystitis. A 49-year-old male presented to the emergency department with fever, chills, right upper quadrant pain, vomiting, and diarrhea of four days' duration. Read More

Surg Infect (Larchmt) 2019 Jan 23;20(1):55-61. Epub 2018 Oct 23.

1 Department of Medicine, Michigan State University , East Lansing, Michigan.

Background: The pharmacokinetics, especially the volume of distribution (Vd), of ß-lactam antibiotics can be altered in critically ill patients. This can lead to decreased serum concentrations and a reduction in clinical cures. Ceftazidime/avibactam (CZA) is a new antimicrobial agent utilized in critically ill patients although its pharmacokinetics has not been well defined in these patients. Read More

Surg Infect (Larchmt) 2019 Jan 9;20(1):49-54. Epub 2018 Oct 9.

Second Department of Propaedeutic Surgery, "Laiko" General Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens , Medical School, Athens, Greece .

Background: Our goal was to evaluate the microbe species responsible for bacteremia or infections related to central venous catheter (CVC) or fluid collections after liver resection.

Patients And Methods: Data from 112 patients (68 males, 44 females) who underwent liver resection over a period of 63 months were reviewed. Patient and tumor characteristics, intra-operative and post-operative data, and the results from cultures of peripheral blood, CVC tips and drained intra-abdominal or intra-throracic fluid collections were collected. Read More

Surg Infect (Larchmt) 2018 Nov/Dec;19(8):774-780. Epub 2018 Oct 9.

3 Institute of Skin Integrity and Infection Prevention University of Huddersfield , Huddersfield, United Kingdom .

A surgical site infection (SSI) can occur at several anatomic sites related to a surgical procedure: Superficial or deep incisional or organ/space. The SSIs are the leading cause of health-care-associated infection (HAI) in industrialized Western nations. Patients in whom an SSI develops require longer hospitalization, incur significantly greater treatment costs and reduction in quality of life, and after selective surgical procedures experience higher mortality rates. Read More

Surg Infect (Larchmt) 2018 Oct 9. Epub 2018 Oct 9.

Section of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, University of Chicago , Chicago, Illinois.

The clinical burden of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) continues to grow. Despite the multitude of treatment options that have been developed and tested to combat the morbidity and death associated with CDI, recurrence remains common. As such, treatment modalities such as fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) have become studied increasingly; FMT serves to transplant stool from carefully selected healthy subjects into C. Read More