Surfactant wound irrigation for the treatment of staphylococcal clinical isolates

Deep wound infection involving an implanted biomaterial is a devastating complication in orthopaedic surgery. Two-thirds of such infections are monomicrobial and the most commonly isolated bacteria in human osteomyelitis and orthopaedic device infection are Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis. The purpose of the current study was to examine the effectiveness of the previously reported sequential surfactant irrigation protocol against human-isolated clinical strains of Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis in the rat model of orthopaedic implant contamination. The infectivity rate of human-isolated clinical strains of Staphylococcus aureus in a contaminated complex orthopaedic wound was reduced effectively by a sequential surfactant irrigation protocol. Also, in this model, the infectivity of Staphylococcus epidermidis was reduced by normal saline irrigation alone when compared with no irrigation. Therefore, the sequential surfactant irrigation protocol may represent an effective method of wound irrigation in monomicrobial Staphylococcus aureus orthopaedic implant contamination, and normal saline irrigation may suffice in cases of monomicrobial Staphylococcus epidermidis contamination. Additional studies are necessary to determine the clinical use of surfactant irrigation.     

Eradication by surfactant irrigation of Staphylococcus aureus from infected complex wounds

Treatment of infected orthopaedic hardware usually requires the removal of the appliance. When the device is removed and immediately replaced, persistent infection frequently complicates this exchange procedure. We modeled the exchange procedure in rats by passing a wire suture through a posterior spinous process and then contaminating the wound with Staphylococcus aureus. We then investigated whether a sequence of surfactant enriched irrigation solutions (Castile soap followed by benzalkonium chloride, sequential surfactant irrigation) had a greater capacity to eradicate Staphylococcus aureus from the experimental wound than did the standard wound irrigant, normal saline. When we left the wire in place through the 2-week course of the study, sequential surfactant irrigation showed only a modest advantage over normal saline (staphylococci recovered from 39% versus 58% of wound cultures respectively). Simple removal of the wire 24 hours after implantation and bacterial contamination prevented wound infection in most animals (with the wire removed, 38% of the animals remained infected versus 85% with the wire left in place), without regard to the irrigation solution. Alternatively, when we removed the wire after 24 hours, irrigated the wound, and then placed a fresh wire back into the wound, sequential surfactant irrigation showed a significant advantage over NS (54% of the animals irrigated with sequential surfactants remained infected versus 100% of the animals irrigated with normal saline). Our findings confirm the importance of a contaminated medical device for promoting foreign body infection; our findings also show that sequential surfactant irrigation has therapeutic value in a rat model of orthopaedic device infection; this irrigation protocol should be studied further as a potential agent for the treatment of infected orthopaedic wounds.     

Synergy between Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in a rat model of complex orthopaedic wounds.

BACKGROUND: We observed an interaction in animals inoculated concomitantly with Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa during a study of the efficacy of surfactants for disinfection of orthopaedic wounds. This led us to investigate whether synergy could be demonstrated between Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in a rat model of complex orthopaedic wounds. METHODS: A wire was implanted into the spinous process of a lumbar vertebra of Sprague-Dawley rats through a dorsal incision. Animals were divided into two groups: group one was inoculated with either Staphylococcus aureus or Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and group two received a polymicrobial inoculation with both test organisms in varying concentrations. After inoculation, the wounds were irrigated and closed. On postoperative day 14, all animals were killed and specimens from the wounds were cultured. The number of colony-forming units (CFU) of Staphylococcus aureus or Pseudomonas aeruginosa needed to cause infection in 50% of the animals (ID50) was determined with use of the Reed-Muench method. The infection rate associated with each inoculum combination was calculated, and the two groups were compared. RESULTS: The ID50 was 2.8 x 10(4) CFU for Staphylococcus aureus and 4.8 x 10(5) CFU for Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The combination of 10(3) CFU of Staphylococcus aureus with low concentrations (10(2), 10(3), or 10(4) CFU) of Pseudomonas aeruginosa yielded infection rates that were higher than those found with either organism alone at the same concentrations. The combination of 10(3) CFU of Staphylococcus aureus and 10(3) CFU of Pseudomonas aeruginosa yielded a 75% infection rate, which was significantly higher (p = 0.004) than that associated with 10(3) CFU of either organism alone. As the Pseudomonas aeruginosa concentration was increased (to 10(5), 10(6), and 10(7) CFU), this trend reversed, and the infection rate decreased to 33% (p = 0.004). Low concentrations of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (0 to 10(5) CFU) combined with 10(6) CFU of Staphylococcus aureus yielded infection rates ranging from 83% to 100%. At the higher concentrations of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (10(6) and 10(7) CFU), however, the infection rate again decreased, to 33% (p = 0.005). Only Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from the cultures of the specimens from the animals that had received a polymicrobial inoculum. CONCLUSIONS: Synergy between Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa was demonstrated when low levels of each organism were present in the wound. As the Pseudomonas aeruginosa concentration was increased, the infection rates fell well below what would be anticipated, suggesting that low concentrations of Pseudomonas aeruginosa enhance the ability of Staphylococcus aureus to cause infection in this orthopaedic wound model. At the same time, the presence of Staphylococcus aureus in the ratios tested decreased the rate of infection by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Staphylococcus aureus is a pathogen commonly seen in orthopaedic patients. The pathogenicity of Staphylococcus aureus was shown to be increased in the presence of anaerobic bacteria. This study is the first one that we are aware of that demonstrated synergy between Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, at low concentrations, in a wound model while at the same time showing that Staphylococcus aureus lowers the rate of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection.     

The use of bacitracin irrigation to prevent infection in postoperative skeletal wounds. An experimental study

In dogs, irrigation of contaminated osseous wounds with bacitracin eliminated clinical evidence of infection and significantly reduced the number of positive cultures and pathological evidence of infection when compared with dogs that received no treatment or irrigation with normal saline solution. The inocula contained more organisms than are introduced into a wound during an elective orthopaedic operation. The use of bacitracin in the prevention of postoperative Staphylococcus aureus infection of bone in humans may be justified.     

Treatment of recurrent postoperative mediastinitis with granulated sugar

BACKGROUND: The authors report their experience with granulated sugar as dressing technique in the treatment of postoperative mediastinitis refractory to a closed irrigation system. METHODS: Between January 1990 and January 1998, mediastinitis developed in 61 (0,93%) of 6521 patients who had undergone open heart surgery. Diagnosis of sternal infections was based on wound tenderness, drainage, cellulitis, fever associated with sternal instability. All of them were initially treated with surgical debridement and closed chest irrigation. Nine patients with postcardiotomy mediastinitis refractory to closed chest irrigation underwent open dressing with granulated sugar. All of them were febrile with leukocytosis and positive wound cultures. RESULTS: Bacteria isolated were staphylococcus aureus in 6 cases, staphylococcus epidermidis in 2 and pseudomonas in 1. Redebridement was performed in all cases and the wound was filled with granulated sugar four times a day. Fever ceased within 4.3+/-1.3 days from the beginning of treatment and WBC became normal after 6.6+/-1.6 days. Three patients had hyperbaric therapy as associated treatment. Complete wound healing was achieved in 58.8+/-32.9 days (three patients underwent successful pectoralis muscle flaps). CONCLUSIONS: Sugar treatment is a reasonable and effective option in patients with mediastinitis refractory to closed irrigation treatment. It may be used either as primary treatment or as a bridge to pectoralis muscle flaps.     

Sequential irrigation with common detergents: a promising new method for decontaminating orthopedic wounds

This investigation sought to determine the capacity of irrigation solutions in decontaminating orthopedic wounds challenged with a polymicrobial inoculum. Rats were divided into two groups, a control group and a treatment group. After creation of a dorsolumbar incision and placement of a wire through the spinous process, rats were inoculated with Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Wounds were irrigated with control or treated solutions. At 2 weeks, cultures were obtained. There were statistically significant differences between groups regarding total number of culture positive sites (P < 0.001), culture-positive animals (P = 0.02), and quantitative cultures (P < 0.02). Sequential irrigation with surfactants lowers bacteria counts recovered from polymicrobial wounds.     

An evaluation of the role of systemic antibiotic prophylaxis in the control of burn wound infection at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital

A prospective study was carried out on 61 patients to evaluate the role of systemic antibiotic prophylaxis in the control of burn wound infection. The patients were randomised into three groups: group 1 (n=21) received ampicillin and cloxacillin; group 2 (n=20) received erythromycin and genticin and a control group (n=20) received no systemic chemo prophylaxis. The burn wounds were similarly managed. Wound colonisation was determined from surface wound swab cultures and wound infection was determined from wound biopsy cultures and histopathology. The colonisation time (days) for the groups was 2.90+/-0.92, 3.15+/-0.77 and 3.05+/-0.83 for groups 1 and 2 and the control, respectively. The commonest organism isolated from contaminated wounds was Staphylococcus aureus. Wound infection was established in 5.70+/-1.70, 5.75+/-1.62 and 5.6+/-1.90 days for group 1, group 2 and the control group, respectively. There was no significant difference between wound infection time of control and group 1 nor was there such difference between the control and group 2 (P>0.05). The commonest organism infecting burn wounds in all the groups was Pseudomonas aeruginosa followed by S. aureus. There was however a significant difference between the treatment groups and the control (P<0.05) with regard to the percentage of infected wounds that grew P. aeruginosa, compared to those that grew S. aureus. It was concluded that systemic antibiotic prophylaxis is of no value in controlling burn wound sepsis, and might even favour the growth of P. aeruginosa in the burn wounds.     

The importance of positive bacterial cultures of specimens obtained during clean orthopaedic operations

Microbiological cultures of specimens of tissue and of fluids from the wound in forty patients who had had consecutive clean, elective orthopaedic operations (excluding total joint replacements) and had not received antibiotics preoperatively were analyzed. Of the forty patients, twenty-three (58 per cent) had a positive culture on at least one of the media that were used and seventeen (43 per cent) had negative cultures. Of the forty specimens that were obtained from swabbing of the wound, eight (20 per cent) were positive on culture, compared with twenty (50 per cent) that were obtained from biopsy of tissue. Of these twenty-eight positive cultures, thirteen (46 per cent) were on routine blood-agar plates and fifteen (54 per cent), in broth only. Of the thirty-three bacterial organisms that were identified in the twenty-eight positive cultures of the wound, nineteen (58 per cent) were coagulase-negative Staphylococcus; eight (24 per cent), Propionibacterium acnes; two (6 per cent), Peptostreptococcus; and four (12 per cent), miscellaneous organisms. In all of the positive cultures on the blood-agar plates, except in those showing Propionibacterium acnes, there were five colonies or fewer. One patient had a clinical infection with Staphylococcus aureus that developed later, but the initial cultures of the wound had been positive for Staphylococcus epidermidis only. None of the bacteria that grew on culture were Staphylococcus aureus or the less common pathogenic gram-negative bacteria, such as Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas, or Klebsiella.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Simultaneous irrigation and negative pressure wound therapy enhances wound healing and reduces wound bioburden in a porcine model

Infected foot wounds are one of the most common reasons for hospitalization and amputation among persons with diabetes. The objective of the study was to investigate a new wound therapy system that employs negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) with simultaneous irrigation therapy. For this study, we used a porcine model with full‐thickness excisional wounds, inoculated with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Wounds were treated for 21 days of therapy with either NPWT, NPWT with simultaneous irrigation therapy using normal saline or polyhexanide biguanide (PHMB) at low or high flow rates, or control. Data show that NPWT with either irrigation condition improved wound healing rates over control‐treated wounds, yet did not differ from NPWT alone. NPWT improved bioburden over control‐treated wounds. NPWT with simultaneous irrigation further reduced bioburden over control and NPWT‐treated wounds; however, flow rate did not affect these outcomes. Together, these data show that NPWT with simultaneous irrigation therapy with either normal saline or PHMB has a positive effect on bioburden in a porcine model, which may translate clinically to improved wound healing outcomes.     

Mediastinal infection after open cardiac surgery

Mediastinal infection is a rare but life-threatening complication after open cardiac surgery. Of 852 patients undergoing cardiac operations performed with a median sternotomy between January of 1981 and August of 1989, 19 patients (2.2%) developed deep sternal infections with mediastinitis, and 6 of them (31.6%) died. Tissue cultures were obtained from all but three patients, and staphylococcus aureus was the most frequent infecting organism associated with high mortality rates (3/8). 18 patients were managed with debridement and irrigation as the primary treatment, but 4 of them developed infective endocarditis during the course of irrigation treatment and then died. After 1987, 6 patients, who didn't gain wound closure with irrigation alone, were treated with reconstructive techniques, one with pectoral muscle flap closure, another with rectus myocutaneous flap mobilization, and the remainder with omental transfer respectively. All of them achieved eradication of infection as well as wound closure. Then we have advocated early debridement and mobilization of viable tissues such as omentum into the mediastinum.     

Treatment of acute osteomyelitis in children by closed-tube irrigation: a reassessment.

The addition of closed-tube irrigation to incision and drainage in the treatment of children with acute osteomyelitis has been found to be associated with: (a) a rate of technical complications of 60%, the most common complications being leaking and plugging of the tube; (b) a 30% rate of superinfection at the site of the wound, the most common organism being Pseudomonas; and (c) an average postoperative hospital stay of 30 days compared with only 16 days for the patients treated by incision and drainage alone. Suction-irrigation in the treatment of acute osteomyelitis in children does not appear to be essential for successful management, and introduces added risks of superinfection and technical complications.     

Use of topically applied silver sulphadiazine plus cerium nitrate in major burns

All patients hospitalized between May 1987 and June 1988 suffering from burns covering over 50 per cent of the body surface area were treated by topical application of a cream containing cerium nitrate (0.05 M) and silver sulphadiazine (0.03 M) (CN + SSD). Eleven patients were included in this series, with a mean age of 35 years (range 22-65), a mean total burn size of 78 per cent (range 50-96 per cent) and full skin thickness covering a mean of 48 per cent (range 10-91 per cent). Eight patients survived (73 per cent) (mean age 36 years; mean total burn surface 73 per cent; mean full skin thickness burn surface, 38 per cent). These results are far better than those obtained in our Unit where a survival rate of 34 per cent was obtained in a comparable series of patients treated before 1987. Sixty positive blood cultures were obtained, which included a large variety of organisms with a slight predominance of Staph. aureus, Candida albicans and Ps. aeruginosa. Wound cultures were positive in 72 per cent of swabs and showed a predominance of Ps. aeruginosa (59 per cent of all the strains isolated). Even if CN + SSD appears in this series not to be very efficient in preventing wound colonization and septic complications, it permitted a very high survival rate in the treated patients, taking into account the extreme severity of the injuries. This beneficial effect is probably the consequence of the protective action of the yellow-green eschar formed by CN + SSD.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

骨科切口感染者创面病原菌分布及自噬相关蛋白表达

目的探究骨科切口感染者创面病原菌分布,并分析骨科切口感染者自噬相关蛋白微管结合轻链蛋白-3(LC-3)、自噬特异性基因-1(Beclin-1)和泛素结合蛋白(P62)表达水平。方法选择2014年5月至2017年8月于西安市第九医院治疗的276例骨科患者为研究对象,将40例正处于切口感染期患者作为观察组,分析其创面病原菌分布;另采用随机数字表法选取暴露表皮、暴露皮下组织及暴露肌肉骨骼中未感染36例患者纳入对照组,分析两组患者感染切口创面组织标本Beclin-1、LC-3和P62自噬相关蛋白表达水平。结果276例骨科患者中治疗后发生切口感染者40例,感染率为14.49%。40例切口感染者共检出病原菌67株,包括革兰阴性菌46株(68.66%),其中铜绿假单胞菌为18株,占比最高(26.87%),其次为大肠埃希菌11株(16.42%);革兰阳性菌19株(28.36%),凝固酶阴性葡萄球菌8株(11.94%),其次为金黄色葡萄球菌7株(10.45%);酵母样真菌2株(2.99%)。感染切口创面组织标本免疫组织化学结果显示,观察组患者LC-3和Beclin-1蛋白阳性表达率显著低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(χ^2=7.488、P=0.006,χ^2=11.800、P=0.001);P62蛋白阳性表达率显著高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(χ^2=13.511、P<0.001)。Western blot结果显示观察组患者LC-3和Beclin-1灰度值显著低于对照组,P62灰度值显著高于对照组,差异均有统计学意义(t=15.282、4.207、8.678,P均<0.001)。结论骨科切口感染者创面病原菌以革兰阴性菌的铜绿假单胞菌和大肠埃希菌为主,自噬相关蛋白LC-3、Beclin-1降低,P62升高,自噬水平降低,推测骨科切口感染与自噬相关蛋白表达存在密切相关性。     

Results of omental flap transposition for deep sternal wound infection after cardiovascular surgery.

OBJECTIVE: Our experience with omental flap transposition in the treatment of deep sternal wound infections is reviewed here with an emphasis on efficacy, risk factors for in-hospital mortality rates, and long-term results. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Even with improvements in muscle and omental flap transposition, the timing of closure and the surgical strategy are controversial. METHODS: Forty-four consecutive patients with deep sternal wound infections were treated using the omental flap transposition from 1985 through 1994. The strategies included debridement with delayed omental flap transposition or single-stage management, which consisted of debridement of the sternal wound and omental flap transposition. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus was cultured from more than 50% of the wounds. A logistic regression analysis was used to identify the predictors of in-hospital death after omental flap transposition. RESULTS: There were seven (16%) in-hospital deaths. Univariate analysis demonstrated that hemodialysis and ventilatory support at the time of omental flap transposition were significantly associated with in-hospital mortality rates (p = 0.0023 and p = 0.0075, respectively). Thirty-seven patients whose wounds healed well were discharged from the hospital. Two patients with cultures positive for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus had recurrent sternal infections. Patients without positive methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus cultures had good long-term results after reconstructive surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Transposition of an omental flap is a reliable option in the treatment of deep sternal wound infections, unless the patients require ventilatory support or hemodialysis at the time of transposition.     

45例大面积烧伤患者的救治分析

目的:总结大面积烧伤患者的救治体会.方法:对我院收治的45例烧伤总面积超过50%TBSA的大面积烧伤患者给予补液、呼吸支持、创面处理、营养支持、抗感染及激素、乌司他丁等药物治疗.比较不同预后患者年龄、烧伤面积、住院时间、并发症等情况.结果:26例患者治愈,7例死亡,12例放弃治疗.放弃治疗组患者年龄明显大于治愈组(P<0.01),但与死亡组差异不显著(P>0.05);治愈、死亡和放弃治疗的患者间烧伤总面积差异无显著性(P>0.05),但治愈组III度烧伤面积显著小于放弃治疗组(P<0.01)和死亡组(P<0.05).放弃治疗的主要原因是病情严重、年龄偏大和经济负担重.26例治愈患者于伤后6周基本完成创面修复,裸露创面在5%以下.伤后出现的并发症包括脓毒症、心包积液、胸腔积液、肺感染、感染性心内膜炎、应激性糖尿病和反应性精神异常.创面培养细菌主要为铜绿假单胞菌(26株)、金黄色葡萄球菌(19株)、肺炎克雷白菌(15株)和醋酸钙不动杆菌(15株).7例死亡患者中3例死于烧伤脓毒症,4例因治疗后期家属放弃积极治疗而死亡.结论:有效的液体复苏、维持呼吸道通畅、积极的创面修复和有力的抗感染治疗是大面积烧伤救治成功的关键环节.烧伤感染是导致烧伤死亡的重要原因.     

Treatment of septic olecranon and prepatellar bursitis with percutaneous placement of a suction-irrigation system. A report of 12 cases

Ten cases of septic olecranon bursitis and two cases of septic prepatellar bursitis were treated in the period from 1975 to 1980 with antibiotics and percutaneous tube placement for suction-drainage and local antibiotic irrigation. All patients had positive bacterial cultures: Staphylococcus aureus in nine, beta-hemolytic Streptococcus in two, and Staphylococcus epidermidis in one. Intravenous antibiotics, local suction-drainage, and irrigation with a solution of 1% kanamycin and 0.1% polymyxin controlled the infection in each case. The antibiotic treatment averaged 19 days, compared with 24 days in a series in which suction-irrigation was not used. In contrast with studies in which aspiration or incision and drainage were performed, there were no complications or recurrences. Percutaneous suction-irrigation appears to be a safe, effective method of treatment that is particularly beneficial in severe cases of septic bursitis in which continuous drainage is desirable.     

冲洗引流对预防跟骨骨折术后切口并发症的作用

目的 通过比较冲洗引流与单纯引流在跟骨骨折内固定术后预防切口并发症方面的价值,探讨切口冲洗引流在跟骨骨折钢板内固定围手术期的意义.方法 对2003年6月至2006年12月间采用外侧入路切开复位钢板内固定治疗的92例107侧跟骨骨折患者进行回顾性分析,其中术后冲洗引流(A组)63侧,术后单纯引流(B组)44侧,A、B两组经两独立样本t检验排除年龄、坠落高度、开放伤、术前时间、止血带及抗生素使用时间等干扰冈素.从切口感染、皮下血肿形成、表皮水疱、切口裂开、皮缘坏死、钢板外露等方面比较两组的结果,并对两组切口并发症发生率进行χ2检验.结果 A组63侧跟骨手术后4侧(4次)发生切口相关并发症,发牛率为6.3%;其中1侧为可疑伤口感染,3侧发生表皮水疱.B组44侧跟骨手术后11侧(15次)发牛切口相关并发症,发生率为25.0%;其中1侧出现皮下血肿、切口裂开,最终导致钢板外露,表皮水疱与皮下血肿单独发生各1侧,同时发生2侧,可疑切口感染3侧.确诊切口感染1侧,皮缘坏死2侧.两组切口并发症发生率比较差异有统计学意义(χ2=7.476,P＜0.05).结论 冲洗引流可以有效地减少跟骨骨折术后切口并发症的发生.     

Analysis of microbiological flora in the blood and wounds of burn patients

1266 strains of bacteria and fungi from wound surface and 321 strains from blood specimens were compared from 1980 to 1987. The results showed that Gram-negative bacilli were obviously more than Gram-positive cocci. Staph. aureus and Ps. aeruginosa remained the most important agents of infective complications. E. coli and E. aerogenes increased steadily and Proteus decreased gradually in burn infection. The ratios of various species of bacteria from wound surface were roughly proportional to that from blood specimens. This paper suggests that prevention and treatment of infection caused by Staph. aureus and Ps. aeruginosa are highly important, control of infection resulted from E. coli and E. aerogenes must be emphasized, and Acinetobacter and Fungi infection must be further studied. The care of burned wounds is very important for prevention and treatment of septicemia. Factors resulting in change of germ flora are also discussed in this paper.     

Prophylaxis with whole gut irrigation and antimicrobials in colorectal surgery. A prospective, randomized double-blind clinical trial

In a prospective, randomized double-blind trial, the efficacy of whole gut irrigation as preoperative bowel preparation for elective colorectal surgery was evaluated alone and in combination with two antimicrobial agents in 148 patients. The antimicrobial regimens were metronidazole alone or metronidazole and ampicillin administered systemically preoperatively and continued for 3 days. Whole gut irrigation was completed without any discomfort in 87 percent of the patients. In 3 percent, the irrigation was stopped and the patients were excluded from the study. Abdominal wound infection developed in 32 percent of the patients after whole gut irrigation, and the addition of metronidazole decreased this incidence to 22 percent (not significant). The incidence in wound infections in the group receiving metronidazole as well as ampicillin was 2 percent, and this difference was highly significant compared with both other groups. No significant difference was found for the incidence of intraabdominal abscesses (p = 0.06), infection of the perineal wound, or anastomotic leakage. No difference in the postoperative infection rate was found between a bowel containing fecal fluid or fecal masses, but when a bowel was clean, significantly fewer infectious complications were found. Whole gut irrigation is a rapid, well-tolerated, easily performed, and safe form of preoperative bowel preparation in elective colorectal surgery if combined with systemic antimicrobial prophylaxis consisting of antimicrobial agents effective against anaerobic and aerobic organisms.     

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus--positive surgical site infections in face-lift surgery

OBJECTIVES: To determine the incidence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)-positive surgical site infections after face-lift surgery and to discuss the screening, prevention, and treatment of such infections. METHODS: The patient charts of 780 patients who underwent a deep-plane rhytidectomy between 2001 and 2007 were reviewed for postoperative wound infections. Culture results and sensitivities were recorded. To our knowledge, this is the first study that documents MRSA-positive surgical site infections after face-lift surgery. RESULTS: Five of 780 patients (0.6%) who underwent face-lift surgery by the senior surgeon had postoperative surgical site infections. Four of the 5 patients had cultures that were positive for MRSA. Two of these patients (0.3%) required hospitalization and had collections that had to be opened or drained and developed wound breakdown. Both patients eventually responded to wound care along with intravenous and then oral antibiotic therapy. The other 2 MRSA-infected patients responded to oral antibiotic therapy and local wound care alone. The 2 complicated infections occurred on postoperative days 5 and 8. These 2 patients were the only ones among the 5 patients with positive cultures who had known recent contact with another physician or a hospital. All infections occurred in the year 2006, with 3 patients experiencing infection in the last 4 months of the year. Herein, we describe the incidence and sequelae of MRSA infections and colonization. The 2 major different subsets of MRSA are community-acquired MRSA and health care-associated MRSA. Surgical site infections that are positive for MRSA blur this division, which affects many aspects of the course of disease and treatment. We also discuss strategies for screening, preventing, and treating MRSA surgical site infections. CONCLUSIONS: Methicillin-resistant S aureus-positive surgical site infection is an increasingly problematic issue in all surgical fields. In the future, MRSA-positive infections will be more prevalent and will require well-developed screening, prevention, and treatment strategies.