A 1-year survey of catheter-related infections in a pediatric university hospital: A prospective study

BackgroundCentral venous catheters (CVCs) provide a great comfort for hospitalized children. However, CVCs increase the risk of severe infection. As there are few data regarding pediatric epidemiology of catheter-related infections (CRIs), the main objective of this study was to measure the incidence rate of CRIs in our pediatric university hospital. We also sought to characterize the CRIs and to identify risk factors.Materials and methodsWe conducted an epidemiological prospective monocentric study including all CVCs, except Port-a-Caths and arterial catheters, inserted in children from birth to 18 years of age between April 2015 and March 2016 in the pediatric University Hospital of Nantes. Our main focus was the incidence rate of CRIs, defined according to French guidelines, while distinguishing between bloodstream infections (CRBIs) and non-bloodstream infections (CRIWBs). The incidence rate was also described for each pediatric ward. We analyzed the association between infection and potential risk factors using univariate and multivariate analysis by Cox regression.ResultsWe included 793 CVCs with 60 CRBIs and four CRIWBs. The incidence rate was 4.6/1000 catheter-days, with the highest incidence rate occurring in the neonatal intensive care unit (13.7/1000 catheter-days). Coagulase-negative staphylococci were responsible for 77.5% of the CRIs. Factors independently associated with a higher risk of infection in neonates were invasive ventilation and low gestational age.ConclusionsThe incidence of CRIs in children hospitalized in our institution appears to be higher than the typical rate of CRIs reported in the literature. This was particularly true for neonates. These results should lead us to reinforce preventive measures and antibiotic stewardship but they also raise the difficulty of diagnosing with certainty CRIs in neonates.     

Catheter‐directed thrombolysis for submassive pulmonary embolism in children: A case series

Incidence of venous thromboembolism, including pulmonary embolism (PE), continues to rise in children. Optimum management of submassive PE is unclear. The principal objective of this retrospective study was to investigate the radiological and clinical outcomes in children with submassive PE treated with catheter‐directed thrombolysis (CDT). Five patients underwent six episodes of CDT. No patient developed major/clinically relevant non‐major bleeding. Most patients had complete radiological thrombus resolution and no patient had evidence of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension. There is an urgent need for larger prospective cohort studies/randomized controlled trials to investigate the role of CDT in pediatric PE.     

Isolated hexadactylia: A rare case of central polydactyly of the foot

BackgroundCentral polydactyly of foot is uncommon form of polydactyly but it usually causes intermetatarsal widening because of metatarsal bifurcation. Central polydactyly associated with T shaped bifurcation of metatarsal in vertical plane has not been reported yet.CaseWe present a 4 year male child with extra toe on the dorsal aspect of right foot with complains of difficulty in wearing footwear and poor cosmesis. The extra digit was fully developed with bifurcation of 2^nd metatarsal bone proximal to the head without any intermetatarsal widening. The angular deviation was 45° to the longitudinal axis of foot and in a plane vertical to the transverse arch of foot. The child was operated with excision of extra toe without any residual bony deformity.ConclusionThe central polydactyly is rare type of polydactyly of foot. Central polydactyly with metatarsal extension causing intermetatarsal widening has been well described entity. But the previous classifications need to be modified to include central polydactyly with vertical oriented T bifurcation of metatarsal bone without intermetatarsal widening.     

Acute total hip arthroplasty for older patients with acetabular fractures: A meta-analysis

ObjectiveMultiple treatment options for acetabular fractures in geriatric patients exist. However, no large-scale studies have reported the outcomes of acute total hip arthroplasty (THA) in this patient population. We systematically evaluated all available evidence to characterize clinical outcomes, complications, and revisions of acute THA for acetabular fractures in geriatric patients.MethodsMeta-analysis of 21 studies of 430 acetabular fractures with mean follow-up of 44 months (range, 17−97 months). Two independent researchers searched and evaluated the databases of Ovid, Embase, and United States National Library of Medicine using a Boolean search string up to December 2019. Population demographics and complications, including presence of heterotopic ossification (HO), dislocation, infection, revision rate, neurological deficits, and venous thromboembolic event (VTE), were recorded and analyzed.ResultsWeighted mean Harris Hip Score was 83.3 points, and 20% of the patients had reported complications. The most common complication was HO, with a rate of 19.5%. Brooker grade III and IV HO rates were lower at 6.8%. Hip dislocation occurred at a rate of 6.1%, 4.1% of patients developed VTE, deep infection occurred in 3.8%, and neurological complications occurred in 1.9%. Although the revision rate was described in most studies, we were unable to perform a survival analysis because the time to each revision was described in only a few studies. The revision rate was 4.3%.ConclusionsAcute THA is a viable option for treatment of acetabular fracture and can result in acceptable clinical outcomes and survivorship rates in older patients but with an associated complication rate of approximately 20%. Considering the limited treatment options, THA might be a viable alternative for appropriately selected patients.     

La prostatectomía radical retropúbica: control del plexo venoso de Santorini

ObjectiveHistorical review of the procedures and maneuvers described in the literature for the control of Santorini's venous plexus.Material and methodReview of original articles on the design of procedures and maneuvers for the control of the Santorini's venous plexus.ResultsThe control of Santorini's plexus is crucial to reduce blood loss and dissect the prostatic apex. The procedure was first performed by Chute in 1954 and has undergone subsequent modifications by several authors (Reiner and Walsh, Hayashi, Myers, etc.) who have published different maneuvers for its control.ConclusionThere is no ideal procedure or maneuver for the control of the Santorini's plexus.     

Review of imaging and endovascular intervention of iliocaval venous compression syndrome

Iliocaval venous compression syndrome (ICS) is the extrinsic compression of the common iliac vein by the overlying iliac artery against the vertebra. Chronic compression can lead to venous stenosis and stasis, which manifests as chronic venous disease and treatment resistance. Therefore, early recognition of ICS and prompt treatment are essential. Clinical presentations of ICS can be ambiguous and diagnosis requires a high index of suspicion with the relevant imaging studies. The initial imaging test is typically a Duplex ultrasound for vessel assessment and pelvic ultrasound to exclude a compressive mass, which is followed by computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance (MR) venography. CT and MRI can identify the anatomical causes for venous compression. In patients with high clinical suspicion for ICS, negative findings on CT and MR venography would still warrant further investigations. Definitive diagnosis can be established using catheter-based venography complemented with intravascular ultrasonography but the nature of their invasiveness limits its utility as a routine imaging modality. In this review paper, we will discuss the evidence, utility and limitations of the existing imaging modalities and endovascular intervention used in the management of ICS.     

出凝血异常普通外科病人围手术期静脉血栓栓塞症防治策略

易栓症是外科围手术期静脉血栓栓塞症(VTE)的防治重点。对于接受手术的止凝血障碍病人,需要谨慎评估VTE的个体风险,同时兼顾手术和麻醉的性质、出血障碍类型和严重程度、年龄、体重指数(BMI)、血栓形成史、恶性肿瘤和其他高危共患病。VTE风险应与已知出血障碍病人使用抗凝相关的出血风险平衡。实验室检查有助于发现和判断血栓与出血的病因,对病人的止凝血代偿能力作出评估,并对抗凝药物的合理使用提供依据。对上述病人,建议术后不常规使用药物预防血栓,尤其是血友病病人,但围手术期因子替代和止血药物的过度应用仍存在导致血栓的风险。使用低分子肝素(LMWH)和直接口服抗凝剂前应评估肾小球滤过率。当血小板计数<50×109/L,LMWH短期减量应用可能相对安全,监测抗Хa水平可用于调整中重度血小板减少症病人LMWH的剂量。主要消化道出血停止和重新使用华法林应至少相隔7 d。对于高血栓栓塞风险和术后高出血风险病人,术后当晚和术后第1天减量应用直接口服抗凝剂是一种可取的做法。     

Postpartum cerebral venous sinus thrombosis following obstetric neuraxial blockade: a literature review with analysis of 58 case reports

BackgroundCerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) is a rare complication of pregnancy. It usually presents with a headache and may mimic a post-dural puncture headache (PDPH) in women who receive a neuraxial block.MethodsMedline, CINAHL and EMBASE databases were searched to identify postpartum cases of CVST following neuraxial block. The aim was to delineate the characteristics, presentation, investigations, and outcomes of postpartum women who presented with CVST.ResultsForty-nine articles with 58 case reports were identified. Forty-two women (72.4%) had an epidural attempted whilst 16 women (27.6%) received a spinal anaesthetic. Accidental dural puncture (ADP) was reported in 17 women (40.5%). Headache was the presenting symptom in 57 women (98.3%); 26 women (44.8%) also experienced seizures. Post-dural puncture headache was reported in 46 (79.3%) and an epidural blood patch was performed in 26 women (44.8%). Superior sagittal sinus, transverse sinus, and cortical veins were the most common sites of thrombosis. The median time to diagnosis was 6.5 days from delivery. Magnetic resonance imaging was the most common diagnostic neuro-imaging modality. Full neurological recovery was reported in 48 (82.8%), whilst neurological deficits were reported in six (10.3%) women.DiscussionThe diagnosis of CVST may be overlooked in women who present with headache following neuraxial block. A change in character of headache with loss of postural element, and focal neurological signs are the key clinical features that could help anaesthetists differentiate headache of CVST from PDPH. The high reported rates of ADP and PDPH lend support to their possible association with CVST.     

Thrombosis and infections of peripherally inserted central catheters in burn patients: A 3-year retrospective study and a systematic review

AimsPeripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) are becoming common and effective in acute and critical care settings recently. Burn patients need special considerations because of restricted insertion sites, burn wounds, hyper coagulation, high infection rates and others. However, the safety of PICCs in burn patients are not well elucidated and no related protocol has been formed. This study aims to investigate the thrombosis and infections of PICCs in burn patients.MethodsThis was a single center retrospective study and a systematic review. All the burn patients with PICCs between January 1, 2018 and December 31, 2020 were included. A systematic search of Medline, PubMed, EMBASE and Web of Science was performed from inception to 4 June 2021 following PRISMA guidelines. Upper extremity vein thrombosis (UEVT) and central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) were the main outcome.ResultsA total of 85 successful PICCs in 78 patients were included. Most patients were male (79.5%), adults(80.8%) and injured by flame(74.4%). The mean TBSA was 50.3% and 76.9% of patients had TBSA more than 30%. Most PICCs were punctured once (60.0%) and inserted less than 30 days after injury (80.0%) through basilar vein (70.6%). The overall line days were 2195 days and the mean line days was 25.8 ± 18.3 days. Six PICCs were complicated by UEVT (7.1%) in 21.2 ± 17.3 days after insertion. Patients with UEVT had significantly higher rate of bacteremia and later insertions than those without UEVT. One patient developed CLABSI and the CLABSI rate was 1.2% and 0.5 per 1000 line days. Six PICCs had catheter colonization. No significant risk factors were identified. Five articles involving 293 patients and 319 PICCs were ultimately evaluated in systematic review. The overall incidence of UEVT was 3.2% and CLABSI was 6.9% in burn populations.ConclusionPICCs in burn patients had acceptable incidence of UEVT and CLABSI with relative long line durations. A standardized PICC guideline for burn patients is required to further improve the feasibility and safety of PICCs.