Faculty Bibliography

In the multimodal strategy context, to implement healthcare-associated infection prevention, bundles are one of the most commonly used methods to adapt guidelines in the local context and transfer best practices into routine clinical care. One of the most important measures to prevent surgical site infections is surgical antibiotic prophylaxis (SAP). This narrative review aims to present a bundle for the correct SAP administration and evaluate the evidence supporting it. Surgical site infection (SSI) prevention guidelines published by the WHO, CDC, NICE, and SHEA/IDSA/APIC/AHA, and the clinical practice guidelines for SAP by ASHP/IDSA/SIS/SHEA, were reviewed. Subsequently, comprehensive searches were also conducted using the PubMed^®/MEDLINE and Google Scholar databases, in order to identify further supporting evidence-based documentation. The bundle includes five different measures that may affect proper SAP administration. The measures included may be easily implemented in all hospitals worldwide and are based on minimal drug pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics knowledge, which all surgeons should know. Antibiotics for SAP should be prescribed for surgical procedures at high risk for SSIs, such as clean-contaminated and contaminated surgical procedures or for clean surgical procedures where SSIs, even if unlikely, may have devastating consequences, such as in procedures with prosthetic implants. SAP should generally be administered within 60 min before the surgical incision for most antibiotics (including cefazolin). SAP redosing is indicated for surgical procedures exceeding two antibiotic half-lives or for procedures significantly associated with blood loss. In principle, SAP should be discontinued after the surgical procedure. Hospital-based antimicrobial stewardship programmes can optimise the treatment of infections and reduce adverse events associated with antibiotics. In the context of a collaborative and interdisciplinary approach, it is essential to encourage an institutional safety culture in which surgeons are persuaded, rather than compelled, to respect antibiotic prescribing practices. In that context, the proposed bundle contains a set of evidence-based interventions for SAP administration. It is easy to apply, promotes collaboration, and includes measures that can be adequately followed and evaluated in all hospitals worldwide.

In the multimodal strategy context, to implement healthcare-associated infection prevention, bundles are one of the most commonly used methods to adapt guidelines in the local context and transfer best practices into routine clinical care. One of the most important measures to prevent surgical site infections is surgical antibiotic prophylaxis (SAP). This narrative review aims to present a bundle for the correct SAP administration and evaluate the evidence supporting it. Surgical site infection (SSI) prevention guidelines published by the WHO, CDC, NICE, and SHEA/IDSA/APIC/AHA, and the clinical practice guidelines for SAP by ASHP/IDSA/SIS/SHEA, were reviewed. Subsequently, comprehensive searches were also conducted using the PubMed^®/MEDLINE and Google Scholar databases, in order to identify further supporting evidence-based documentation. The bundle includes five different measures that may affect proper SAP administration. The measures included may be easily implemented in all hospitals worldwide and are based on minimal drug pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics knowledge, which all surgeons should know. Antibiotics for SAP should be prescribed for surgical procedures at high risk for SSIs, such as clean"“contaminated and contaminated surgical procedures or for clean surgical procedures where SSIs, even if unlikely, may have devastating consequences, such as in procedures with prosthetic implants. SAP should generally be administered within 60 min before the surgical incision for most antibiotics (including cefazolin). SAP redosing is indicated for surgical procedures exceeding two antibiotic half-lives or for procedures significantly associated with blood loss. In principle, SAP should be discontinued after the surgical procedure. Hospital-based antimicrobial stewardship programmes can optimise the treatment of infections and reduce adverse events associated with antibiotics. In the context of a collaborative and interdisciplinary approach, it is essential to encourage an institutional safety culture in which surgeons are persuaded, rather than compelled, to respect antibiotic prescribing practices. In that context, the proposed bundle contains a set of evidence-based interventions for SAP administration. It is easy to apply, promotes collaboration, and includes measures that can be adequately followed and evaluated in all hospitals worldwide.

Background: Postoperative internal hernias after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) have an incidence of 2%-9% and are a surgical emergency. Evidence on factors associated with length of stay (LOS) after emergent internal hernia reduction in RYGB patients is limited. Methods: This is a retrospective review of patients who underwent internal hernia reduction after RYGB at our tertiary care center over a 5 year period from 2015 to 2020. Demographics, comorbidities, and intra- and postoperative hospital course were collected. Univariate and multivariate linear regressions were used to investigate factors associated with LOS. Results: We identified 38 patients with internal hernia after RYGB. These patients with mean age 44.1 years were majority female (71.1%) and white race (60.5%). Of the 24 patients where the RYGB was done at our institution, the mean RYGB to IH interval was 43 months. Petersen"™s defect (57.8%) followed by jejuno-jejunal mesenteric defect (31.6%) were the most common locations for IH. Both Petersen"™s and jejuno-jejunal mesenteric hernias were found in 4 cases (10.5%). Revision of bypass and small bowel resection were required in 13.2% and 5.3% of cases, respectively. The median (interquartile range) length of stay (LOS) was 2 days. On the multivariate analysis, male sex (P =.019), conversion to exploratory laparotomy (P =.005), and resection of small bowel (P <.001) were independent risk factors for increased LOS. Conclusion: The most common location of IH after RYGB is Petersen"™s defect, followed by jejuno-jejunal mesenteric defect. LOS was significantly associated with male sex, exploratory laparotomy, and resection of small bowel.

BACKGROUND:Evidence shows that 14.2% of opioid-naive patients have long-term opioid dependence after bariatric surgery. Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols are widely used in bariatric surgery, while bariatric surgery targeting opioid prescriptions (BSTOP) protocols were recently introduced. We will investigate the combined impact of ERAS and BSTOP protocols after bariatric surgery. METHODS:We conducted a retrospective review for patients who underwent either a sleeve gastrectomy or Roux-en-Y gastric bypass at a tertiary care center. Pre-intervention and post-intervention data were compared. Primary outcomes were length of stay (LOS), 30-day readmission, 30-day complications, and discharge on opioids. Multivariate Poisson regression with robust standard error was used to analyze LOS. RESULTS:There was no significant difference in 30-day emergency room visits (3.3% vs. 4.0%; p value = 0.631), 30-day readmission (4.4% vs. 5.4%; p value = 0.577) or 30-day complication rate (4.2% vs. 6.4%; p value = 0.199). LOS was significantly lower in the post-intervention group; mean (interquartile range) 2 (1-2) days vs. 1 (1-2) day, p value < 0.001. On multivariate analysis, the post-intervention group had 0.74 (95% confidence interval 0.65-0.85; p value < 0.001) times lower LOS as compared to pre-intervention group. Patients with DM had a significantly longer LOS (relative risk: 1.22; p = 0.018). No other covariates were associated with LOS (p value < 0.05 for all). BSTOP analysis found a significant difference between the two groups. Discharge on opioids decreased from 40.6% pre-intervention to 7.1% post-intervention. CONCLUSION:ERAS and BSTOP protocols reduced length of stay and opioid need at discharge without an increase in complication or readmission rates.

INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND:During the COVID pandemic, elective global surgical missions were temporarily halted for the safety of patients and travelling healthcare providers. We discuss our experience during our first surgical mission amidst the pandemic. We report a safe and successful treatment of the patients, detailing our precautionary steps and outcomes. METHODS:Retrospective manual chart review and data collection of patients' charts was conducted after IRB approval. We entail our experience and safety steps followed during screening, operating and postoperative care to minimize exposure and improve outcomes during a surgical mission in an outpatient setting during the pandemic. The surgical mission was from February 8 to February 12, 2022. RESULTS:A total of 60 patients who were screened. 33 patients underwent surgical intervention. One patient required postoperative hospitalization for a biliary duct leak. No patient or healthcare provider tested positive for COVID at the end of the mission. The average age of patients was 46.9 years. The average operative time was 116 min, and all patients had local nerve blocks. It included 45 health work providers. CONCLUSIONS:It is safe to perform outpatient international surgery during the pandemic while following pre-selected precautions.

INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND:Pelvic fractures due to high energy trauma present a high risk of associated injuries that compromise the functional and vital prognosis of the patients. The objective of this study was to analyze the relationship between traumatic pelvic fractures and their associated injuries according to the Tile classification. METHODS:Retrospective observational study of patients who suffered traumatic pelvic fractures (Type A, B or C of the Tile classification) with concomitant associated injuries, analyzing hemoglobin levels, between 6/2013 and 1/2016. RESULTS:A total of 42 patients were included; of those 69% (n = 29) were males, mean age was 48 years. 45% (n = 19) suffered traffic accidents and 26.2% (n = 11) falls. There was a different proportion in pelvic injuries: Tile A (n = 15, 35.7%), B (n = 20, 47.6%), and C (n = 7, 16.6%) of cases. 54.8% (n = 23) underwent surgery, 21.4% (n = 9) needed temporary or definitive external fixation. Significant differences were found between Tile A type and scapula fractures (P = .032), and Tile B with sacral fractures (P = .033) and visceral injuries (P = .049), while there is a tendency without a statistical significal between Tile C and costal fractures. 61.9% (n = 26) needed blood transfusion; 9.5% (n = 4) presented hypovolemic shock. CONCLUSIONS:Tile A pelvic fractures were associated with scapular fractures, and Tile B with transforaminal fractures of the sacrum and with visceral injuries (lungs, liver and genitourinary). The small number of Tile C prevent us to confirm an association with any pathology, although they are the ones which presnt more hemodynamically instability and thoracic injuries.

BACKGROUND:Placement of a tracheostomy for patients requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation (PMV) improves patients' comfort, decreases dead space ventilation, allows superior airway hygiene, and reduces the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia. Controversy still exists regarding the role of standard tracheostomy (ST) as opposed to the less frequently done Björk flap tracheostomy (BFT). This study compares the functional outcomes of these two techniques. STUDY DESIGN/METHODS:Seventy-nine patients receiving tracheostomy in a 12-month period: 38 BFT vs. 41 ST. Data included demographics, indications for PMV, ventilator days before tracheostomy, time to and a number of patients who passed the fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES), time to and a number of patients decannulated. RESULTS:Indications in both groups were PMV from trauma (18/38 vs 15/41), pneumonia (13/38 vs 13/41), and ARDS (7/38 vs 11/4), respectively (p > 0.05). Patients in both groups did not differ with regard to age, sex, GCS, duration of PMV before tracheostomy, the time to and a number of patients who passed the 1st FEES. However, the number of days and the number of FEES required before the next successful FEES in the 20 BFT and 21 ST patients who failed the 1st was 9 (4) vs. 16 (5), and 2 (1) vs. 4 (1), respectively (p < 0.05). Additionally, the number of intraoperative complications in aggregate were 0/38 in the BFT as opposed to 6/41 in the ST group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:We conclude that BFT may be associated with an overall shorter time to restoration of normal swallowing when compared to ST.

INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND:Robotic abdominal wall reconstruction (RAWR) is one of the most significant advances in the management of complex abdominal wall hernias. The objective of this study was to evaluate long term outcomes in a cohort of patients that underwent complex RAWR in a single center. METHODS:This was a longitudinal retrospective review of a cohort of 56 patients who underwent complex RAWR at least 24 months prior by a single surgeon at a tertiary care institution. All patients underwent bilateral retro-rectus release (rRRR) with or without robotic transversus abdominis release (rTAR). Data collected include demographics, hernia details, operative and technical details. The prospective analysis included a post-procedure visit of at least 24 months from the index procedure with a physical examination and quality of life survey using the Carolinas Comfort Scale (CCS). Patients with reported symptoms concerning for hernia recurrence underwent radiographic imaging. Descriptive statistics (mean ± standard deviation or median) were calculated for continuous variables. Chi-square or Fisher's exact test as deemed appropriate for categorical variables, and analysis of variance or the Kruskal-Wallis test for continuous data, were performed among the separate operative groups. A total score for the CCS was calculated and analyzed in accordance with the user guidelines. RESULTS:for rRRR. The mean length of follow-up was 28.1 months. Fifty-seven percent of patients underwent post-op imaging at an average follow-up of 23.5 months. Recurrence rate was 3.6% for all groups. There were no recurrences in patients that underwent solely bilateral rRRR. Two patients (7.7%) that underwent rTAR procedures were found with recurrence. Average time to recurrence was 23 months. Quality of life survey demonstrated an overall CCS score of 6.63 ± 13.95 at 24 months with 12 (21.4%) patients reporting mesh sensation, 20 (35.7%) reporting pain, and 13 (23.2%) reporting movement limitation. CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:Our study contributes to the paucity of literature describing long term outcomes of RAWR. Robotic techniques offer durable repairs with acceptable quality of life metrics.

Post-cholecystectomy syndrome (PCS) is a well-documented complication of incomplete cholecystectomy. The etiology is often post-surgical chronic inflammation from unresolved cholelithiasis, which is secondary to anatomical abnormalities, including a retained gallbladder or a large cystic duct remnant (CDR). An exceedingly rare consequence is retained gallstone fistulization into the gastrointestinal tract. We present a case of a 70-year-old female with multiple comorbidities 4 years status-post incomplete cholecystectomy, who developed PCS with cholecystoduodenal fistula secondary to retained gallstone in the remnant gallbladder, with CDR involvement, treated via robotic-assisted surgery. Reoperation in PCS has been traditionally performed via laparoscopic approach with recent advances made in robotic-assisted surgery. However, we report the first documented case of PCS complicated by bilioenteric fistula repaired with robotic-assisted surgery. This highlights the value of robotic-assisted surgery in complicated cases, where one must contend with post-surgical anatomic abnormalities and visualization difficulties. Subsequent investigation is necessary to objectively quantify the safety and reproducibility of our approach.

Gastric bypass has grown in popularity in recent years due to its high efficacy in achieving long-term weight loss in patients with morbid obesity. Gastric bypass has been described to further exacerbate baseline nutritional deficiencies due to reduced gastric capacity and malabsorption. In rare cases, when protein deficiency is severe, Kwashiorkor disease may arise. The incidence of Kwashiorkor specifically following gastric bypass is rare, with an incidence of 4.7%. We report a case of a female patient who underwent a gastric bypass and subsequently developed Kwashiorkor. Physicians' suspicion of index for Kwashiorkor should be high for patients presenting with signs or symptoms of severe malnutrition following weight-loss procedures.
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