Smoking increases the risk of postoperative wound complications: A propensity score-matched cohort study

Cigarette smoking is associated with surgical complications, including wound healing and surgical site infection. However, the association between smoking status and postoperative wound complications is not completely understood. Our objective was to investigate the effect of smoking on postoperative wound complications for major surgeries. Data were collected from the 2013 to 2018 participant use files of the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database. A propensity score matching procedure was used to create the balanced smoker and nonsmoker groups. Multivariable logistic regression was used to calculate the odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for postoperative wound complications, pulmonary complications, and in-hospital mortality associated with smokers. A total of 1 156 002 patients (578 001 smokers and 578 001 nonsmokers) were included in the propensity score matching analysis. Smoking was associated with a significantly increased risk of postoperative wound disruption (OR 1.65, 95% CI 1.56-1.75), surgical site infection (OR 1.31, 95% CI 1.28-1.34), reintubation (OR 1.47, 95% CI 1.40-1.54), and in-hospital mortality (OR 1.13, 95% CI 1.07-1.19) compared with nonsmoking. The length of hospital stay was significantly increased in smokers compared with nonsmokers. Our analysis indicates that smoking is associated with an increased risk of surgical site infection, wound disruption, and postoperative pulmonary complications. The results may drive the clinicians to encourage patients to quit smoking before surgery.     

Smoking increases the risk of postoperative wound complications: A propensity score‐matched cohort study

Cigarette smoking is associated with surgical complications, including wound healing and surgical site infection. However, the association between smoking status and postoperative wound complications is not completely understood. Our objective was to investigate the effect of smoking on postoperative wound complications for major surgeries. Data were collected from the 2013 to 2018 participant use files of the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database. A propensity score matching procedure was used to create the balanced smoker and nonsmoker groups. Multivariable logistic regression was used to calculate the odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for postoperative wound complications, pulmonary complications, and in‐hospital mortality associated with smokers. A total of 1 156 002 patients (578 001 smokers and 578 001 nonsmokers) were included in the propensity score matching analysis. Smoking was associated with a significantly increased risk of postoperative wound disruption (OR 1.65, 95% CI 1.56‐1.75), surgical site infection (OR 1.31, 95% CI 1.28‐1.34), reintubation (OR 1.47, 95% CI 1.40‐1.54), and in‐hospital mortality (OR 1.13, 95% CI 1.07‐1.19) compared with nonsmoking. The length of hospital stay was significantly increased in smokers compared with nonsmokers. Our analysis indicates that smoking is associated with an increased risk of surgical site infection, wound disruption, and postoperative pulmonary complications. The results may drive the clinicians to encourage patients to quit smoking before surgery.     

影响全膝人工关节置换术后疗效的相关因素分析

目的分析后稳定型全膝人工关节置换（total knee replacement，TKR）术后疗效和并发症发生情况，探讨影响TKR术后疗效的相关因素。方法1998年1月～2004年8月，应用后稳定型膝关节假体对60例（74膝）骨性关节炎患者行TKR手术。以术后膝关节HSS（hospitl for special surgery）评分和各单项评分的改善率评定TKR术后疗效；比较有并发症和无并发症患者之间疗效优良率的差异；采用Pearson相关分析对TKR术后HSS评分与术前患者自身的有关因素进行相关性分析。结果60例患者获随访24～94个月，平均42．5个月。术后膝关节HSS评分、疼痛、功能、关节活动度、肌力、屈曲畸形及稳定性评分分别为84．2±14．2、25．7±6．9、17．9±4．3、13．1±2．0、9．2±0．8、8．1±0．4和9．3±0．1，较术前均有不同程度改善，尤以疼痛缓解最为明显，且差异均有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。疗效评定优良率为90．5％。10膝发生局部并发症，其中腓总神经损伤1膝，伤口愈合不良2膝，伤口感染、关节内感染及关节僵硬各1膝，症状性下肢深静脉血栓形成2膝，髌-股关节并发症2膝。有并发症患者膝关节优良率（60．0％）明显低于无并发症患者（95．3％），且差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。相关分析显示TKR术后HSS评分与膝关节术前HSS评分、疼痛和功能评分呈正相关，相关系数分别为0．523、0．431和0．418（P〈0．01）；而与患者术前关节活动度、肌力、屈曲畸形、稳定性、年龄、体重和体重指数等无相关（P〉0．05）。结论采用后稳定型TKR是治疗重症膝关节骨性关节炎的有效方法。术后疗效与术前膝关节HSS评分、疼痛和功能评分呈正相关；并发症的发生对术后疗效有明显负面影响。     

结肠穿孔急诊术后伤口感染的防治

术后切口感染是常见的结肠手术后并发症之一,最常见于结肠穿孔急诊术后。结肠穿孔急诊术后伤口感染并发症包括系列病理过程,涵盖浅表组织感染、深部组织坏死感染甚至器官周围间隙感染,常引发严重感染导致腹膜炎、脓毒症甚至感染性休克,需要及时手术处理。对其合理防治的策略应该将术前良好评估、有效控制合并症、术后良好伤口护理、识别术后伤口感染、合理使用抗菌药物、及时外科清创以及引流一系列措施整合为一体。     

A prospective randomized study of sternal closure: comparison of Mersilene tape versus standard wire closure.

BACKGROUND: To compare in a prospective randomized study Mersilene tape and standard metal wire for complications and pain upon sternal wound closure. METHODS: Sixty-four patients scheduled for cardiac surgery were prospectively randomized to undergo sternal closure using either Mersilene tape (n=30) or standard metal wire (n=34). The intensity of postoperative pain from the chest wound was assessed using a visual analogue scale (VAS) on the second and seventh postoperative days and one month after surgery. The examinations with chest X-ray and computed tomography (CT) one month after surgery were performed to evaluate the chest wound and sternum. Follow-up data on sternal and wound healing was assessed for up to one year. RESULTS: No deaths, sternal dehiscence or infection occurred in either group. No wound complications were observed in either group during the year following surgery. A review of data revealed that there was no difference in the intensity of postoperative pain according to the VAS between the two groups. Chest CT demonstrated that no patients in either group had cuts in the sternum. CONCLUSION: This prospective randomized study showed Mersilene tape sternal closure not to be more closely associated with increased complications or patient discomfort due to sternal wound than the standard wire closure.     

老年胃癌患者术后并发症的相关因素分析

【摘要】〓目的〓探讨老年胃癌患者术后并发症的相关因素。方法〓回顾性地分析中国石油乌鲁木齐石油化工总厂职工医院外一科2004年1月~2014年12月接受手术治疗并经病理确证为胃癌的老年患者57例,分析术后并发症情况及老年胃癌患者术后并发症的危险因素。结果〓本组57例行胃癌手术患者中,并发症发生18例,并发症发生率为31.6%,其中切口感染3例(5.3%),吻合口瘘2例(3.5%),切口开裂2例(3.5%),肺部感染3例(5.3%),十二指肠残端瘘1例(1.8%)。炎性肠梗阻3例,残胃无力1例,腹腔感染2例,吻合口出血1例。经分析显示,术前合并症、肿瘤直径、发病年龄及手术时间与老年胃癌患者术后并发症发生有明显关系(P<0.05)。结论〓老年胃癌患者因年龄和疾病因素,术后并发症也随之增加,基层医院应重视老年胃癌患者围手术期的观察和处理。     

Effect of minimally invasive surgery and laparotomy on wound infection and postoperative and intraoperative complications in the management of cervical cancer: A meta-analysis

We performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the effect of minimally invasive surgery and laparotomy on wound infection and postoperative and intraoperative complications in the management of cervical cancer. A systematic literature search up to July 2022 was performed and 10 231 subjects with cervical cancer at the baseline of the studies; 4307 of them were using the minimally invasive surgery, and 5924 were using laparotomy. Odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to assess the effect of minimally invasive surgery and laparotomy on wound infection and postoperative and intraoperative complications in the management of cervical cancer using the dichotomous methods with a random or fixed-effect model. The minimally invasive surgery had significantly lower wound infection (OR, 0.20; 95% CI, 0.13–0.30, P < .001), and postoperative complications (OR, 0.48; 95% CI, 0.37–0.64, P < .001) in subjects with cervical cancer compared laparotomy. However, minimally invasive surgery compared with laparotomy in subjects with cervical cancer had no significant difference in intraoperative complications (OR, 1.04; 95% CI, 0.80–1.36, P = 0.76). The minimally invasive surgery had significantly lower wound infection, and postoperative complications however, had no significant difference in intraoperative complications in subjects with cervical cancer compared with laparotomy. The analysis of outcomes should be with caution because of the low sample size of 22 out of 41 studies in the meta-analysis and a low number of studies in certain comparisons.     

Is Levofloxacin Necessary to Prevent Postoperative Infections of Auricular Second-Intention Wounds?

BACKGROUND Surgeons may prescribe oral quinolones after auricular procedures to prevent postoperative infections, especially those caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa .
OBJECTIVE This study compares the efficacy of levofloxacin and local wound care to local wound care alone in preventing postoperative infection of auricular second-intention wounds.
MATERIALS AND METHODS This study was a prospective, randomized trial of 84 consecutive patients (82 in the final analysis) who underwent Mohs micrographic surgery for an auricular neoplasm and had a wound left to heal by second intention. After surgery, patients were randomly assigned to receive either local wound care or local wound care with concurrent 500 mg of levofloxacin by mouth daily.
RESULTS Overall, 85.4% of patients had no complications. Complications included 12.2% of patients with inflammatory chondritis and 2.4% of patients with infection. No infections with P. aeruginosa were observed. No statistical significance was observed between the two treatment groups.
CONCLUSION Levofloxacin is not necessary to prevent postoperative infections of auricular second-intention wounds after Mohs surgery.     

The role of platelet-rich plasma in inguinal wound healing in vascular surgery patients

The objective was to determine whether incision application of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) will decrease postoperative wound complications in vascular surgery patients. A prospective, randomized trial randomized 81 incisions in 51 patients who underwent femoral artery exposure for elective revascularization procedures or endovascular abdominal aneurysm repairs. Incidence of diabetes, chronic renal failure, prosthetic grafts, body mass index (BMI), and steroid use did not differ. Using the ASEPSIS wound classification system, we found no difference in incidence of wound infection. Wound complications occurred in 9 (23%) of 40 of PRP group and 9 (22%) of 41 of non-PRP. Severe wound complications developed in 5 (13%) PRP and 6 (5%) of non-PRP (P = NS). In multivariate analysis, there were no predictors for wound infection. Groin wound complications rates are common in this patient group. Platelet-rich plasma did not decrease the incidence of groin wound complications in our patients.     

多学科合作快速康复外科理念在腹腔镜腹股沟疝修补术围手术期的应用

目的:探讨以多学科团队(MDT)合作为基础的快速康复外科(ERAS)在腹腔镜腹股沟疝修补术围手术期应用的可行性及有效性。方法:将782例行择期腹腔镜腹股沟疝修补术的患者按入院顺序随机分为ERAS组(392例)和对照组(390例)。对照组接受常规治疗护理;ERAS组接受MDT合作ERAS理念的治疗护理,主要干预措施包括住院模式选择,医护一体化健康教育,饮食要求,胃肠道准备,尿潴留预防,术后早期活动,伤口疼痛预防,麻醉前给药,防止术中低温,围手术期补液管理,术后恶心、呕吐预防及1个月患者舒适度评价等。比较两组患者术后疼痛、恢复情况、并发症与应激反应发生率、术后舒适度等。结果:与对照组比较,ERAS组术后次日清晨NRS疼痛评分降低,恢复正常饮食时间、下床活动时间、住院时间均减少,术后满意率增加,血清肿、尿潴留、伤口感染等并发症与不适感、恶心反应的发生率降低,术后1个月中位腹股沟疼痛调查表评分降低(均P0.05)。结论:在腹腔镜腹股沟疝修补术患者围手术期中采用MDT合作ERAS理念可以减轻患者不适,加速康复,缩短住院时间,提高患者满意度及舒适度。     

Complications of long operations: a prospective study of morbidity associated with prolonged operative time (> 6 h).

Reconstructive surgical procedures often take a long time to perform and duration of surgery is frequently cited as a major risk factor for postoperative complications. Whether operative time is an independent risk factor is unknown, as patients undergoing long operations may have numerous other risk factors. From September 1996 to September 1997, we prospectively assessed those patients undergoing reconstructive surgery lasting 6 h or more. A total of 62 patients were studied and they were grouped into three categories: head and neck surgery (n = 23), breast reconstruction (n = 18) and upper and lower limb surgery (n = 21). Postoperative complications were recorded and the results of each group compared. Each of the three patient categories had a similar mean duration of surgery but there were large differences in postoperative morbidity between the three groups, e.g. within the head and neck group postoperative respiratory and wound complications occurred in 43% and 26% of patients, respectively. In the limb surgery group, however, only 5% of patients had respiratory complications and 5% had wound complications. Despite having similar duration of surgery the differences in postoperative complications between the three groups suggest that duration of surgery alone is not a major determinant of postoperative morbidity and that the type of surgery performed and the patient's general health are more important predictors of outcome.     

Postoperative complications in patients of esophageal cancer after neoadjuvant chemotherapy

We examined the effects of neoadjuvant chemotherapy on surgery by evaluating postoperative complications in 50 patients who had undergone neoadjuvant chemotherapy (Group A) and in 108 patients who had undergone surgery without neoadjuvant chemotherapy (Group B). Toxicity of grade 3 by chemotherapy were WBC in 3 patients (6%), alopecia in 3 patients (6%), and anorexia in 22 patients (44%). There were 4 patients with anastomotic leakage (8%) (all in minor), 5 patients with infection of wound (10%), 6 patients with arrhythmia (12%), no patients with postoperative bleeding, 2 patients with respiratory complications (4%), and no patients who died due to complications in Group A. In Group B, there were 13 patients with anastomotic leakage (13%) (all in minor), 12 patients with infection of the wound (11%), 11 patients with arrhythmia (10%), 2 patients with postoperative bleeding (2%), 8 patients with respiratory complications (7%), and 2 patients who died due to complications (2%). There was no significant difference in the incidence of postoperative complications between the patients who had undergone surgery after neoadjuvant chemotherapy, such as CDDP + 5FU therapy and FAP therapy, and the patients who had undergone surgery without neoadjuvant chemotherapy, in patients who had been diagnosed as being able to undergo relative non-curative resection or better, who had Ccr 60 ml/min or more and no severe complication, and whose stomach could be used for reconstruction of the esophagus, on the condition that surgery would be performed on NC patients at the end of first-course treatment.     

Postoperative complications in patients of esophageal cancer after neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

We examined the effects of neoadjuvant chemotherapy on surgery by evaluating postoperative complications in 50 patients who had undergone neoadjuvant chemotherapy (Group A) and in 108 patients who had undergone surgery without neoadjuvant chemotherapy (Group B). Toxicity of grade 3 by chemotherapy were WBC in 3 patients (6%), alopecia in 3 patients (6%), and anorexia in 22 patients (44%). There were 4 patients with anastomotic leakage (8%) (all in minor), 5 patients with infection of wound (10%), 6 patients with arrhythmia (12%), no patients with postoperative bleeding, 2 patients with respiratory complications (4%), and no patients who died due to complications in Group A. In Group B, there were 13 patients with anastomotic leakage (13%) (all in minor), 12 patients with infection of the wound (11%), 11 patients with arrhythmia (10%), 2 patients with postoperative bleeding (2%), 8 patients with respiratory complications (7%), and 2 patients who died due to complications (2%). There was no significant difference in the incidence of postoperative complications between the patients who had undergone surgery after neoadjuvant chemotherapy, such as CDDP + 5FU therapy and FAP therapy, and the patients who had undergone surgery without neoadjuvant chemotherapy, in patients who had been diagnosed as being able to undergo relative non-curative resection or better, who had Ccr 60 ml/min or more and no severe complication, and whose stomach could be used for reconstruction of the esophagus, on the condition that surgery would be performed on NC patients at the end of first-course treatment.     

腹腔镜与开腹消化性溃疡穿孔修补术比较的Meta分析

目的评价腹腔镜修补手术治疗消化性溃疡穿孔的安全性和有效性。方法收集1990－2011年公开发表的腹腔镜和开腹消化性溃疡穿孔修补术的中文和英文文献．对腹腔镜组和开腹组的术中情况、术后恢复情况及术后并发症情况进行Meta分析。结果筛选出符合纳入标准的研究19项,共1507例,腹腔镜组673例,开腹组834例。与开腹组相比,腹腔镜组患者术中出血量更少,术后排气时间更快、住院时间更短、术后切口感染率和围手术期死亡率更低（均P〈O．05）。两组患者手术时间和术后败血症、肺部感染、腹腔脓肿、修补处瘘发生率的差异则无统计学意义（均P〉O．05）。结论腹腔镜修补手术治疗消化性溃疡穿孔具有出血少、恢复快、切口感染和死亡率低的优势．安全可行。     

Relation between intraoperative salvaged blood transfusion and postoperative infection after cardiac surgery

In cardiac surgery, several studies have shown bacterial contamination rates of intraoperative salvaged blood ranging from 12.7 to 96.8%. We evaluated the relation between intraoperative salvaged blood transfusion produced by the Cell Saver 5 device (Haemonetics Corp., Braintree, MA, USA) and postoperative infection determined by bacteriological study and the postoperative clinical course after cardiac surgery. Seven cases of cardiac surgery were investigated by bacteriological study. Although bacteria were cultured from all salvaged blood, no bacteria were cultured from the patients' blood 24 hours after salvaged blood infusion. Another 26 patients who underwent cardiac surgery, were divided into groups: group CS (n = 15) with salvaged blood transfusion after operation and group N (n = 11) without salvaged blood transfusion, and were evaluated in relation to the postoperative clinical course. There were no statistically significant differences between group CS and group N in the data of WBC, CRP and maximum body temperature. One case of deep sternal wound infection and 2 cases of local wound infection were observed in group CS, but none in group N (p = 0.18). These complications were treated by primary closure without muscle flaps. We conclude that salvaged blood autotransfusion was not related to postoperative infections in cardiac surgery.     

Gallbladder rupture during laparoscopic cholecystectomy: does it have an effect on postoperative morbidity?

Gallbladder rupture during laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a common event that may lead to increased postoperative morbidity. To evaluate this event, we reviewed 300 cases of laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Duration of surgery and hospitalization, postoperative symptoms, wound infection, and late complications were analyzed by comparing two groups of patients, one without gallbladder rupture (A) and one with rupture (B). Gallbladder rupture was found in 40 cases (13.9%). Duration of surgery averaged 81 min for group A and 96.5 min for group B. Postoperative symptoms in the first 24 hours were present in approximately 10% of patients in both groups. Within the first 24 hours, 92.3% of patients in group A were discharged compared with 85% in group B. One patient (0.4%) in group A developed wound infection compared with 2 patients (5%) in group B (p = 0.05). To date, no patients have developed late abdominal complications associated with the procedure. Although this was a retrospective and uncontrolled study, gallbladder rupture during laparoscopic cholecystectomy was found to be associated with increased wound infections. No other significant effects on postoperative morbidity were detected.     

Registration of Complications in Operative Treatment of Proximal Femoral Fractures in the Elderly

Background: Surgery of proximal femur fractures can give rise to a high rate of postoperative complications and morbidity. In order to evaluate the results of proximal femoral surgery and to improve treatment in the elderly, we performed a prospective study between 1996 and 1998, scoring complications according to a special system used at our institute. Patients: 268 patients (220 women; 82%), mean age 81 years (range 24-97 years), underwent surgery for proximal femoral fractures during a 2-year period. Results: 172 complications (64%) occurred in 116 patients. Complications included pressure score (13.4%), urinary tract infection (8.5%), problems due to implantation of the osteosynthesis (8.5%), pneumonia (7.8%), minor wound infection (4.9%), urine retention (3.3%), deep venous thrombosis (0.7%), and myocardial infarction (0.4%). Mean hospital stay was 31 days (range 3-196 days). During this time, eleven of 268 patients died (mortality 4.1%). An error in management was seen in 30% of all complications, and technical errors in 21%. In 49% the complications was due to the patient's general health. Conclusions: Surgery for proximal femur fractures is accompanied by complications in many patients, and especially in the elderly. Indeed, the patients in our study were elderly, and their poor general health accounted for nearly half of the complications encountered. The registration of complications may lead to new management/surgical protocols to prevent such complications in the near future.     

Risk of respiratory complications and wound infection in patients undergoing ambulatory surgery: smokers versus nonsmokers

BACKGROUND: Smoking is considered to be a risk factor for patients undergoing surgery and anesthesia, but it is unclear whether this is applicable to patients undergoing ambulatory surgery. The aim of this study was to determine the risk of respiratory complications and wound infection among smokers. METHODS: The authors studied a random selection of 489 adult patients undergoing ambulatory surgery. Smoking status was determined by self-report and confirmed with end-expired carbon monoxide analysis. The risk of respiratory complications (i.e., desaturation, cough, laryngospasm, bronchospasm, breath-holding, or apnea) and wound infection (i.e., wound redness or discharge +/- positive microbial culture, requiring antibiotic therapy) in smokers nonsmokers was ascertained. Odds ratios were estimated from multivariable logistic regression and adjusted for age, gender, body mass index, partner's smoking status, domiciliary smoking exposure, and extent and duration of surgery. RESULTS: Most smokers continued to smoke up until the day of surgery. Smokers had a higher rate of respiratory complications (32.8% vs. 25.9%; adjusted odds ratio, 1.71; 95% confidence interval, 1.03-2.84; = 0.038) and wound infection (3.6% vs. 0.6%; odds ratio, 16.3; 95% confidence interval, 1.58-175; = 0.019). Odds ratios comparing current plus ex-smokers with nonsmokers were of similar magnitude for most of these complications. CONCLUSIONS: Smoking was associated with an increased risk of respiratory complications and postoperative wound infection in ambulatory surgery patients. These findings warrant increased efforts at promoting smoking avoidance and cessation.     

To drain or not to drain in thyroid surgery. A controlled clinical study

Drainage after thyroid surgery is widely used to prevent postoperative complications by evacuation of blood and fluids. However, to our knowledge no study has shown the benefit of drainage. Therefore, we performed a prospective, randomized study on the rate of complications after drainage or no drainage in thyroid surgery. One hundred fifty patients were allocated to drainage or no drainage. No difference was seen between the two groups according to the experience of the surgeon, type of operation, diagnosis, weight of thyroid specimens, operation time, and hospital stay. All complications were recorded and resulted in two patients receiving reoperation because of bleeding, two permanent laryngeal nerve palsies, one case of permanent hypocalcemia, ten minor hematomas, one wound infection, and one lymphatic leakage. No difference was seen between the groups. This study does not support prophylactic routine drainage after uncomplicated thyroid surgery.     

2-Octyl-cyanoacrylate for wound closure in cervical and lumbar spinal surgery

It is claimed that wound closure with 2-octyl-cyanoacrylate has the advantages that band-aids are not needed in the postoperative period, that the wound can get in contact with water and that removal of stitches is not required. This would substantially enhance patient comfort, especially in times of reduced in-hospital stays. Postoperative wound infection is a well-known complication in spinal surgery. The reported infection rates range between 0% and 12.7%. The question arises if the advantages of wound closure with 2-octyl-cyanoacrylate in spinal surgery are not surpassed by an increase in infection rate. This study has been conducted to identify the infection rate of spinal surgery if wound closure was done with 2-octyl-cyanoacrylate. A total of 235 patients with one- or two-level surgery at the cervical or lumbar spine were included in this prospective study. Their pre- and postoperative course was evaluated. Analysis included age, sex, body mass index, duration and level of operation, blood examinations, 6-week follow-up and analysis of preoperative risk factors. The data were compared to infection rates of similar surgeries found in a literature research and to a historical group of 503 patients who underwent wound closure with standard skin sutures after spine surgery. With the use of 2-octyl-cyanoacrylate, only one patient suffered from postoperative wound infection which accounts for a total infection rate of 0.43%. In the literature addressing infection rate after spine surgery, an average rate of 3.2% is reported. Infection rate was 2.2% in the historical control group. No risk factor could be identified which limited the usage of 2-octyl-cyanoacrylate. 2-Octyl-cyanoacrylate provides sufficient wound closure in spinal surgery and is associated with a low risk of postoperative wound infection.