Surgical site infection after gastrointestinal surgery in high-income, middle-income, and low-income countries: a prospective, international, multicentre cohort study

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most common infections associated with health care, but its importance as a global health priority is not fully understood. We quantified the burden of SSI after gastrointestinal surgery in countries in all parts of the world. Methods: This international, prospective, multicentre cohort study included consecutive patients undergoing elective or emergency gastrointestinal resection within 2-week time periods at any health-care facility in any country. Countries with participating centres were stratified into high-income, middle-income, and low-income groups according to the UN's Human Development Index (HDI). Data variables from the GlobalSurg 1 study and other studies that have been found to affect the likelihood of SSI were entered into risk adjustment models. The primary outcome measure was the 30-day SSI incidence (defined by US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for superficial and deep incisional SSI). Relationships with explanatory variables were examined using Bayesian multilevel logistic regression models. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02662231. Findings: Between Jan 4, 2016, and July 31, 2016, 13 265 records were submitted for analysis. 12 539 patients from 343 hospitals in 66 countries were included. 7339 (58·5%) patient were from high-HDI countries (193 hospitals in 30 countries), 3918 (31·2%) patients were from middle-HDI countries (82 hospitals in 18 countries), and 1282 (10·2%) patients were from low-HDI countries (68 hospitals in 18 countries). In total, 1538 (12·3%) patients had SSI within 30 days of surgery. The incidence of SSI varied between countries with high (691 [9·4%] of 7339 patients), middle (549 [14·0%] of 3918 patients), and low (298 [23·2%] of 1282) HDI (p < 0·001). The highest SSI incidence in each HDI group was after dirty surgery (102 [17·8%] of 574 patients in high-HDI countries; 74 [31·4%] of 236 patients in middle-HDI countries; 72 [39·8%] of 181 patients in low-HDI countries). Following risk factor adjustment, patients in low-HDI countries were at greatest risk of SSI (adjusted odds ratio 1·60, 95% credible interval 1·05–2·37; p=0·030). 132 (21·6%) of 610 patients with an SSI and a microbiology culture result had an infection that was resistant to the prophylactic antibiotic used. Resistant infections were detected in 49 (16·6%) of 295 patients in high-HDI countries, in 37 (19·8%) of 187 patients in middle-HDI countries, and in 46 (35·9%) of 128 patients in low-HDI countries (p < 0·001). Interpretation: Countries with a low HDI carry a disproportionately greater burden of SSI than countries with a middle or high HDI and might have higher rates of antibiotic resistance. In view of WHO recommendations on SSI prevention that highlight the absence of high-quality interventional research, urgent, pragmatic, randomised trials based in LMICs are needed to assess measures aiming to reduce this preventable complication

Global disparities in surgeons’ workloads, academic engagement and rest periods: the on-calL shIft fOr geNEral SurgeonS (LIONESS) study

: The workload of general surgeons is multifaceted, encompassing not only surgical procedures but also a myriad of other responsibilities. From April to May 2023, we conducted a CHERRIES-compliant internet-based survey analyzing clinical practice, academic engagement, and post-on-call rest. The questionnaire featured six sections with 35 questions. Statistical analysis used Chi-square tests, ANOVA, and logistic regression (SPSS® v. 28). The survey received a total of 1.046 responses (65.4%). Over 78.0% of responders came from Europe, 65.1% came from a general surgery unit; 92.8% of European and 87.5% of North American respondents were involved in research, compared to 71.7% in Africa. Europe led in publishing research studies (6.6 ± 8.6 yearly). Teaching involvement was high in North America (100%) and Africa (91.7%). Surgeons reported an average of 6.7 ± 4.9 on-call shifts per month, with European and North American surgeons experiencing 6.5 ± 4.9 and 7.8 ± 4.1 on-calls monthly, respectively. African surgeons had the highest on-call frequency (8.7 ± 6.1). Post-on-call, only 35.1% of respondents received a day off. Europeans were most likely (40%) to have a day off, while African surgeons were least likely (6.7%). On the adjusted multivariable analysis HDI (Human Development Index) (aOR 1.993) hospital capacity &gt; 400 beds (aOR 2.423), working in a specialty surgery unit (aOR 2.087), and making the on-call in-house (aOR 5.446), significantly predicted the likelihood of having a day off after an on-call shift. Our study revealed critical insights into the disparities in workload, access to research, and professional opportunities for surgeons across different continents, underscored by the HDI

COVID-19 Pandemic: How, When and Where?

Who would have thought on the sunset of 2019 what 2020 was bringing on!From the day COVID-19 originated it has sent shock waves across the globe irrespective of the religion, race, gender and power. From the outbreak in Wuhan, it has crossed all borders and has spread at varying speed across the globe.[1] The preparations for it by all the countries have left a big question mark.</jats:p

AMYAND’S HERNIA

Introduction: An appendix in an inguinal hernial sac is called as Amyand’sHernia. The appendix may or may not be inflamed. It is a rare occurrence in surgical practice.Case Presentation: A 23 years old male presented with the clinical diagnosis of strangulatedright inguinal hernia. On surgical exploration acutely inflamed appendix was found in the hernialsac. Appendicectomy and hernia repair was carried out. Conclusion: Inguinal hernia is oneof the most common general surgical procedure. Unexpected hernial sac contents like aninflamed appendix may be encountered and dealt accordingly.</jats:p

Acute mesenteric ischaemia due to superior mesenteric vein (SMV) thrombosis

A 77-year-old male patient presented with a 5-day history of abdominal pain, coffee ground vomiting and blood-stained diarrhoea. CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis demonstrated a long segment thrombotic occlusion of the superior mesenteric vein (SMV) extending up to the proximal portion of the portal vein causing significant acute small bowel ischaemia. Patient’s deteriorating clinical condition warranted surgical management. Successful surgical management required multidisciplinary teamwork between emergency, vascular surgeons, anaesthetists and intensivists. Emergency laparotomy revealed gangrene of an estimated 120 cm of small bowel segment starting from duodenojejunal junction and a long segment thrombotic occlusion of the SMV extending up to the portal confluence. Resection of gangrenous small bowel without anastomosis and thrombo-embolectomy of SMV along with laparostomy was done at the initial operation. Patient was admitted in the intensive care unit on systemic heparinisation through intravenous administration of unfractionated heparin. Second relook exploration was done after 48 hours followed by anastomosis of the small bowel and closure of the abdomen. Patient made a good recovery following anticoagulation therapy and was discharged on postoperative day 10.</jats:p

An unexpected surprise: rare association of neuroendocrine tumours in inflammatory bowel disease

Abstract Neuroendocrine neoplasms are rare malignancies, more so when cancerous metastasis occurs without a known primary source. Here we discuss a case of an ulcerative colitis sufferer, 43-year-old lady presented with what was thought to be a flare up. Situation deteriorated and was taken to theatre to find a significantly ischaemic colon, secondary to extensive venous thrombosis. The ischaemic bowel was resected alongside with what was thought to be a large, reactive lymph node. To our surprise, the resected lymph node returned with evidence of neuroendocrine neoplastic metastasis. Multiple laboratory and imaging investigations were performed in hope to identify the primary source. A second metastatic lymph node was identified and subsequently resected but the primary remains elusive. Currently, there are no visible evidences of active disease.</jats:p