Can we get rid of hospital infections in head and neck surgery?

Infection rate registered on the basis of clinical symptoms and of microbiological forms in patients treated in Surgery Division, Head & Neck Cancer Department during 2001-2003, was analyzed. Total number of patients treated was 2343. In 664 preoperative microbiological cultures have been obtained from suspected areas and in 52.8% of these a pathogen has been found. Patients undergoing major surgery received a prophylactic antibiotic selected by an infection control team and Microbiology Department. If preoperative cultures showed resistance to standard prophylactic antibiotic, another was selected on the antibiogram basis. Particular attention was paid to all the elements of prophylactic against infection in the ward, examination and dressing rooms, operating theatre. In 48% of patients, mainly those after extensive, prolonged surgery, antibiotics (usually 3rd generation cephalosporins) were used for 5-7 days. During 2001, 2002 and 2003 correspondingly 148, 97 and 58 infections were registered with positive culture and infection with clinical symptoms occurred in 30, 21 and 20 patients (4%, 2,8% i 2,3%). Comparisons of hospital infection rates between different institutions are very difficult, but relatively low rate in our material and decreasing number of infections registered during consecutive years show that persistent and multifaceted prophylactic interventions can result in significant reduction of hospital infections also in patients wits contaminated surgical field.     

Emergency cerclage with concomitant amniocentesis as a method of treatment of membranes prolapse--case report

Emergency cerclage was performed on 27 years old patient with membrane prolapse in 21 weeks' gestation. Ultrasonographically guided amniocentesis was performed intraoperatively in order to decrease intraamniotic pressure. Aggressive prophylactic management (wide spectrum antibiotics and tocolysis-nifedipine) resulted in pregnancy prolongation up to 30 week of gestation. At that time healthy premature newborn (1520 g, Apgar score 7 in 1st minute) was delivered by caesarean section. The mother was discharged from the hospital on the 4th postoperative day, whereas the child after 5 weeks weighted 2130 g.     

Amniocentesis and mother's bladder overfilling in operative treatment of advanced cervical incompetence

We describe two cases treated for cervical incompetence with prolapsed fetal membranes with emergency cerclage. Two methods of membranes reducing were used: transabdominal amniocentesis and bladder overfilling. We recommend these procedures in patients with advanced cervical incompetence when the membrane reduction by Trendelenburg position or pharmacological tocolysis were ineffective.     

Delivery of twins by Cesarean section with the Misgav Ladach method

Between September 1998 and July 1999, 34 patients with twin pregnancy (79.1%) underwent cesarean section with Misgav Ladach method in the Department of Obstetrics and Perinatology of the Medical Academy in Lublin. The aim of this study was to evaluate safety and other advantages of the Misgav Ladach method. Body temperature, usage of antibiotics, analgesics, hematinics, and postoperative complications were evaluated in the postoperative course. No postoperative complications were noted at 32 patients (94.1%). 67.6% of patients did not receive antibiotics. Stitches were removed on the fourth p.o. day at 70.6% of patients. This study highlights the safety of the Misgav Ladach method, and points out some advantages like reduction of postoperative pain, speeded recovery, and no indication for transfusion.     

RENAL FUNCTION IN CHRONICALLY CATHETERIZED CONSCIOUS DIABETIC RATS USING CONSTANT AND SERVO-CONTROLLED INFUSION

1. Infusion experiments were performed on chronically catheterized conscious rats to assess kidney function before and after the induction of diabetes mellitus with streptozotocin. 2. Two infusion regimens were used, a conventional constant-infusion protocol and a novel computer-driven, servo-controlled fluid replacement technique. The latter enables body fluid status to be maintained throughout a study occasion by servo-controlled replacement of spontaneous urinary fluid losses. 3. The chronically catheterized conscious rat infused using a servo-controlled system appears to be the optimum model for a study of diabetic renal function. The conscious preparation circumvents problems associated with anaesthesia and acute surgery. The servo-controlled infusion protocol maintains the altered fluid status of the diabetic condition. Both hyperfiltration and polyuria, characteristics of human diabetes often absent in anaesthetized and/or constantly infused diabetic rats, were seen in all conscious servo-controlled diabetic animals. 4. The new regimen enables a more accurate assessment of renal function in experimental diabetes than with previous protocols. It should prove useful in future studies, particularly those assessing the role of anti-diabetic drugs on the kidney.