Urinary tract infections following radical cystectomy and urinary diversion: a review of 1133 patients

Objective

To investigate the incidence and microbiology of urinary tract infection (UTI) within 90 days following radical cystectomy (RC) and urinary diversion.

Methods

We reviewed 1133 patients who underwent RC for bladder cancer at our institution between 2003 and 2013; 815 patients (72%) underwent orthotopic diversion, 274 (24%) ileal conduit, and 44 (4%) continent cutaneous diversion. 90-day postoperative UTI incidence, culture results, antibiotic sensitivity/resistance and treatment were recorded through retrospective review. Fisher’s exact test, Kruskal–Wallis test, and multivariable analysis were performed.

Results

A total of 151 urinary tract infections were recorded in 123 patients (11%) during the first 90 days postoperatively. 21/123 (17%) had multiple infections and 25 (20%) had urosepsis in this time span. Gram-negative rods were the most common etiology (54% of positive cultures). 52% of UTI episodes led to readmission. There was no significant difference in UTI rate, etiologic microbiology (Gram-negative rods, Gram-positive cocci, fungi), or antibiotic sensitivity and resistance patterns between diversion groups. Resistance to quinolones was evident in 87.5% of Gram-positive and 35% of Gram-negative bacteria. In multivariable analysis, Charlson Comorbidity Index > 2 was associated with higher 90-day UTI rate (OR = 1.8, 95% CI 1.1–2.9, p = 0.05) and Candida UTI (OR 5.6, 95% CI 1.6–26.5, p = 0.04).

Conclusions

UTI is a common complication and cause of readmission following radical cystectomy and urinary diversion. These infections are commonly caused by Gram-negative rods. High comorbidity index is an independent risk factor for postoperative UTI, but diversion type is not.

     

The Vitamin B<Subscript>12</Subscript> Analog Cobinamide Is an Effective Antidote for Oral Cyanide Poisoning

Introduction

Cyanide is a major chemical threat, and cyanide ingestion carries a higher risk for a supra-lethal dose exposure compared to inhalation but provides an opportunity for effective treatment due to a longer treatment window and a gastrointestinal cyanide reservoir that could be neutralized prior to systemic absorption. We hypothesized that orally administered cobinamide may function as a high-binding affinity scavenger and that gastric alkalinization would reduce cyanide absorption and concurrently increase cobinamide binding, further enhancing antidote effectiveness.

Methods

Thirty New Zealand white rabbits were divided into five groups and were given a lethal dose of oral cyanide poisoning (50 mg). The survival time of animals was monitored with oral cyanide alone, oral cyanide with gastric alkalinization with oral sodium bicarbonate buffer (500 mg), and in combination with either aquohydroxocobinamide or dinitrocobinamide (250 mM). Red blood cell cyanide concentration, plasma cobinamide, and thiocyanate concentrations were measured from blood samples.

Results

In cyanide ingested animals, oral sodium bicarbonate alone significantly prolonged survival time to 20.3 ± 8.6 min compared to 10.5 ± 4.3 min in saline-treated controls, but did not lead to overall survival. Aquohydroxocobinamide and dinitrocobinamide increased survival time to 64 ± 41 (p < 0.05) and 75 ± 16.4 min (p < 0.001), respectively. Compared to aquohydroxocobinamide, dinitrocobinamide showed greater systemic absorption and reduced blood pressure. Dinitrocobinamide also markedly increased the red blood cell cyanide concentration. Under all conditions, the plasma thiocyanate concentration gradually increased with time.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates a promising new approach to treat high-dose cyanide ingestion, with gastric alkalinization alone and in combination with oral cobinamide for treating a supra-lethal dose of orally administered cyanide in rabbits.

     

Raman spectroscopy demonstrates Amifostine induced preservation of bone mineralization patterns in the irradiated murine mandible

PurposeAdjuvant radiotherapy in the management of head and neck cancer remains severely debilitating. Fortunately, newly developed agents aimed at decreasing radiation-induced damage have shown great promise. Amifostine (AMF) is a compound, which confers radio-protection to the exposed normal tissues, such as bone. Our intent is to utilize Raman spectroscopy to demonstrate how AMF preserves the mineral composition of the murine mandible following human equivalent radiation.MethodsSprague Dawley rats were randomized into 3 experimental groups: control (n = 5), XRT (n = 5), and AMF–XRT (n = 5). Both XRT and AMF groups underwent bioequivalent radiation of 70 Gy in 5 fractions to the left hemimandible. AMF–XRT received Amifostine prior to radiation. Fifty-six days post-radiation, the hemimandibles were harvested, and Raman spectra were taken in the region of interest spanning 2 mm behind the last molar. Bone mineral and matrix-specific Raman bands were analyzed using one-way ANOVA, with statistical significance at p < 0.05.ResultsThe full-width at half-maximum of the primary phosphate band (FWHM) and the ratio of carbonate/phosphate intensities demonstrated significant differences between AMF–XRT versus XRT (p < 0.01) and XRT versus control (p < 0.01). There was no difference between AMF–XRT and control (p > 0.05) in both Raman metrics. Computer‐aided spectral subtraction further confirmed these results where AMF–XRT was spectrally similar to the control. Interestingly, the collagen cross-link ratio did not differ between XRT and AMF–XRT (p < 0.01) but was significantly different from the control (p < 0.01).ConclusionOur novel findings demonstrate that AMF prophylaxis maintains and protects bone mineral quality in the setting of radiation. Raman spectroscopy is an emerging and exceptionally attractive clinical translational technology to investigate and monitor both the destructive effects of radiation and the therapeutic remediation of AMF on the structural, physical and chemical qualities of bone.     

Enhanced recovery after cystectomy in patients with preoperative narcotic use

IntroductionThe aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of radical cystectomy with an enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol in patients with a history of chronic preoperative narcotic use compared to narcotic-naive patients.MethodsWe identified 553 patients who underwent open radical cystectomy with ERAS. Preoperative narcotic use was identified in 34 patients who were then matched to 68 narcotic-naive patients. Postoperative outcomes, opioid use, and visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores were analyzed and compared. All routes of opioid use were recorded and converted to a morphine equivalent dose (MED).ResultsPatients with preoperative narcotic use reported higher median VAS pain scores per day (postoperative day [POD1]: 5.2 vs. 3.9, p=0.003; POD2: 5.1 vs. 3.6, p<0.001; POD3: 4.6 vs. 3.8, p=0.004) and used significantly more opioids (median MED) per day (POD1: 13.2 vs. 10.0, p=0.02; POD2: 11.3 vs. 6.4, p=0.003; POD3: 10.2 vs. 5.0, p=0.005) following surgery. Preoperative narcotic users were noted to have a significantly higher incidence of 90-day re-admissions (41.2% vs. 20.6%, p=0.03). There was no difference in median hospital stay (4 vs. 4 days, p=0.6), 30- or 90-day complications (64.7% vs. 60.3%, p=0.8 and 82.4% vs. 75.0%, p=0.4, respectively) or gastrointestinal complications (29.4% vs. 26.5%, p=0.8), including postoperative ileus (11.8% vs. 20.6%, p=0.2).ConclusionsPatients with preoperative narcotic exposure report higher pain scores and require more opioid use following radical cystectomy with ERAS and are more likely to be re-admitted within 90 days. However, there was no observed difference in hospital stay or complications.     

90-Day complication rate in patients undergoing radical cystectomy with enhanced recovery protocol: a prospective cohort study

Purpose

To report 90-day complication rates following radical cystectomy (RC) with enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol.

Methods

All consecutive patients who underwent open RC with ERAS protocol from 2012 to 2014 were included. The protocol includes no bowel preparation or NGT, early feeding, predominantly non-narcotic pain management and μ-opioid antagonists. Non-consenting and lost to follow-up patients were excluded. All patients were closely followed up, and 90-day complication (Clavien–Dindo grading), readmission and emergency room (ER) visits were prospectively recorded.

Results

One hundred and sixty-nine cases with a median age of 71 years were included in the study. 90-Day major and minor complication rates were 24.3 and 53.9 %, respectively. The most common complications were infectious and gastrointestinal. The 90-day ER visit rate was 37.9 %, whereas the readmission rate was 29.6 %. The most common cause of hospital readmission and ER visits was infections.

Conclusion

Radical cystectomy and urinary diversion with enhanced recovery protocol is a morbid surgery. The most common complication, cause of ER visit and readmission is yet infections. Further studies on methods to decrease these rates are underway.