Vanessa P. Ho

Sexual function after treatment for rectal cancer: a review.

Sexual function is one element of QOL that may be significantly altered following treatment for rectal cancer, but the incidence and contributing risk factors are generally poorly understood. Nevertheless, the impact of rectal cancer therapy on sexual function should be conveyed to patients preoperatively. In addition to helping patients evolve realistic expectations, it will help clinicians identify those for whom interventions may be appropriate. In the past 10 years, there has been an increase in the number of studies reporting sexual dysfunction following rectal cancer treatment. However, these studies are difficult to interpret collectively for a variety of reasons. Most importantly, sexual dysfunction lacks a standardized definition, which leads to poor comparability between studies. The best inclusive definitions describe sexual dysfunction as a collection of distinct symptoms, which differ for men and women. The absence of sexual activity is sometimes used as a surrogate for sexual dysfunction, but this is confounded by an individuals desire and opportunity for sexual activity, and may not be an accurate reflection of physiologic functionality. Additional factors complicating assimilation of studies include the absence of baseline data, missing data, small sample sizes, and heterogeneity in use of validated and nonvalidated instruments. The purpose of this article is to systematically review the contemporary literature reporting sexual function after rectal surgery to determine the overall risk of sexual dysfunction, evaluate possible contributing factors, and identify questions that should be addressed in future studies.

Cefazolin Dosing for Surgical Prophylaxis in Morbidly Obese Patients

BACKGROUND Cefazolin is used commonly to prevent surgical site infection (SSI) after operations on patients with morbid obesity (MO), but specific dosing guidelines are lacking. We hypothesized that cefazolin 2 g given by intravenous (IV) push over 5 min (IVP) or infusion over 30 min (INF) would suffice for SSI prophylaxis in MO (body mass index [BMI] 40-50 kg/m(2)), and cefazolin 3 g would be sufficient in patients with super-morbid obesity (SMO) (BMI >50 kg/m(2)). METHODS Twenty-five patients undergoing elective surgical procedures were given a single dose of cefazolin: Ten with MO received 2 g via IVP (MO2-IVP), five with MO received 2 g via 30-min infusion (MO2-INF), five with SMO received 2 g via infusion (SMO2-INF), and five with SMO received 3 g via infusion (SMO3-INF). Serum cefazolin concentrations were measured 5, 30, 120, and 360 min after initiation of the dose. The half-life of the drug was calculated for each patient, as was the time the concentration was above the minimum inhibitory free concentration (fT>MIC) using 8 mcg/mL as the breakpoint. The protective duration of each cefazolin dose was assessed using the pharmacodynamic target for fT>MIC of 70%. RESULTS The mean cefazolin concentrations after 30 min were similar in all groups; the mean concentrations at 120 and 360 min were 67.1-84.8 mcg/mL and 22.9-40.8 mcg/mL, respectively. The half-life ranged from 2.3 to 3.6 h and was unaffected by administration method. The protective duration was 5.1 h for MO2-IVP, 4.8 h for MO2-INF, 5.8 h for SMO2-INF, and 6.8 h for SMO3-INF. CONCLUSIONS A single 2-g dose of cefazolin appears to provide antibiotic exposures sufficient for most common general surgical procedures of <5-h duration, regardless of BMI.

Differing risk factors for incisional and organ/space surgical site infections following abdominal colorectal surgery

OBJECTIVE: Surgical site infections are a major source of morbidity after colorectal surgery. The aim of this study was to explore differences between incisional and organ/space surgical site infection types by evaluating risk factors, National Nosocomial Risk Index Scores, and clinical outcomes. DESIGN: A random sample of adults undergoing abdominal colorectal surgery between June 2001 and July 2008 was extracted from a colorectal surgery practice database. Patient factors, comorbidities, intraoperative factors, postoperative factors, and infection were collected; risk score (from −1 to 3 points) was calculated. Variables associated with surgical site infection by univariate analysis were incorporated in a multivariable model to identify risk factors by infection type. Infection risk by risk score was evaluated by logistic regression. Length of stay, readmission, and mortality were examined by infection type. RESULTS: Six hundred fifty subjects were identified: 312 were male, age was 59.8 (SD 17.8) years. Common preoperative diagnoses included colorectal cancer (36.9%) and inflammatory bowel disease (21.7%). Forty-five cases were emergencies, and 171 included rectal resections. Eighty-two patients developed incisional and 64 developed organ/space surgical site infections. Body mass index was associated with incisional infection (OR 1.05, 95% CI 1.00–1.09), whereas previous radiation (OR 4.49, 95% CI 1.53–13.18), postoperative hyperglycemia (OR 2.99, 95% CI 1.41–6.34), preoperative [albumin] (OR 0.52, 95% CI 0.36–0.76), and case length (OR 1.26, 95% CI 1.08–1.47) were associated with organ/space infection. A risk score of 2 and above, compared with a score of <2, predicted organ/space (OR 5.92, 95% CI 3.16–11.09) but not incisional infection (OR 0.95, 95% CI 0.41–2.16). Organ/space infections were associated with longer length of stay (P = .006) and higher readmission rates (P < .001) than incisional infections. CONCLUSIONS: Risk factors for surgical site infections differ by type of infection. Clinical outcomes and value of the risk index score are different by infection type. It may be prudent to consider incisional and organ/space surgical site infections as different entities for patients undergoing colorectal surgery.

Antibiotic Regimen and the Timing of Prophylaxis Are Important for Reducing Surgical Site Infection after Elective Abdominal Colorectal Surgery

BACKGROUND Surgical site infections (SSIs) cause morbidity after elective colorectal surgery, and antibiotic prophylaxis can decrease SSIs. The aim of this study was to determine compliance with an antibiotic administration protocol, including regimen, initial dose timing, and re-dosing, and determine the risk of SSI associated with each. We hypothesized that appropriate antibiotic administration reduces the risk of SSI. METHODS Retrospective review from a prospective database of a random sample of patients undergoing elective abdominal colorectal procedures with anastomosis. Antibiotic regimens, initial dose timing (IDT), and re-dosing were evaluated. Appropriate regimens covered gram-positive cocci, gram-negative bacilli, and anaerobes. The IDT was considered proper if completed within 30 min prior to incision; re-dosing parameters were determined pharmacokinetically for each agent. The main outcome was SSI. Sequential logistic models were generated: Model 1 assessed antibiotic administration factors, whereas Model 2 controlled for patient and clinical factors, including disease process, patient characteristics, intra-operative factors, and post-operative factors. RESULTS Six hundred five patients (mean age 59.7 [standard deviation 17.8] years, 42.8% male) were included. The most common diagnoses were cancer (38.8%) and inflammatory bowel disease (22.0%). Seventy-six patients (12.6%) had superficial or deep incisional SSI, and 54 (8.9%) had organ/space SSI. Regimens included cefazolin + metronidazole for 219 patients (36.2%), cefoxitin for 214 (35.4%), and levofloxacin + metronidazole for 48 (7.9%). One hundred fourteen patients (18.8%) received other/nonstandard regimens, and ten had no documented antibiotic prophylaxis. Fifty-five patients (9.1%) received insufficient coverage, whereas 361 patients (59.7%) had proper IDT, and 401 regimens (66.3%) were re-dosed properly. In Model 1, the use of other/nonstandard regimens (odds ratio [OR] 2.069; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.078-1.868) and early administration of the initial prophylaxis dose (OR 1.725; 95% CI 1.147-2.596) were associated with greater odds of SSI. After adding clinical factors in Model 2, both of these factors remained significant (OR 2.505; 95% CI 1.066-5.886 and OR 1.733; 95% CI 1.017-2.954, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Appropriate antibiotic selection and timing of administration for prophylaxis are crucial to reduce the likelihood of SSI after elective colorectal surgery with intestinal anastomosis.

Use of Meropenem by Continuous Infusion to Treat a Patient with a Blakpc-2-Positive Klebsiella pneumoniae Blood Stream Infection

BACKGROUND Gram-negative bacterial resistance to antibiotics is of increasing concern. Carbapenem resistance among strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae is a relatively new phenomenon. Resistance attributable to production of carbapenemases is notoriously difficult to combat. METHODS Case report and review of the pertinent English-language literature. RESULTS A patient, hospitalized for aortic dissection complicated by intra-abdominal catastrophe and acute kidney injury, developed bacteremia exhibiting meropenem non-susceptibility secondary to expression of bla(KPC-2). High-dose, continuous-infusion meropenem achieved serum drug concentrations above the minimum inhibitory concentration and eradicated the infection. CONCLUSION This is the first report of a meropenem-non-susceptible carbapenamase-positive Klebsiella pneumoniae blood stream infection treated successfully with high-dose, continuous-infusion meropenem. Application of this regimen in certain patients, such as those with mild-to-moderate renal insufficiency, may be a reasonable option for multi-drug-resistant nosocomial infections.

Insurance but not race is associated with diverticulitis mortality in a statewide database.

OBJECTIVES: Racial identity and health insurance have been associated with differential health care outcomes for many diseases, but not for diverticulitis. We examined the association of racial identity and insurance with admission, treatment, and mortality for patients admitted to inpatient care for acute diverticulitis. METHODS: Data on adult inpatients with nonelective diverticulitis admissions between 1985 and 2006 were extracted from the New York Statewide Planning and Cooperative Systems Database. Race categories were white non-Hispanic, black non-Hispanic, Hispanic, Asian, other race, and unknown race. A multivariable logistic regression model adjusted for insurance, year, patient factors, community factors, and hospital factors was used to examine the association of racial identity and insurance with presentation, treatment, and mortality. Five outcomes were considered: 1) admission via the emergency department, 2) complicated disease presentation, 3) surgical intervention, 4) colostomy creation, and 5) mortality. White race and private insurance were reference groups. RESULTS: We identified 253,655 admissions. Race distribution included 77.7% white, 8.1% black, and 7.2% Hispanic. Medicare was the most commonly held insurance (52.7%), and 73.7% of patients were admitted through the emergency department. Of 36,190 surgeries, 20,650 (57.1%) included colostomies, and 3.0% of all patients died. Race other than white and Medicaid insurance were the strongest predictors of admission via the emergency department (OR 1.34, 95% CI 1.12–1.60; OR 1.60, 95% CI 1.44–1.78). Patients categorized as black, Hispanic, Asian, or other were less likely to have complicated disease, surgery, and colostomy creation (OR 0.81, 95% CI 0.76–0.85; OR 0.87, 95% CI 0.81–0.94; and OR 0.67, 95% CI 0.61–0.74). Insurance was associated with higher rates of mortality; having Medicaid or no insurance were the strongest predictors (OR 1.61, 95% CI 1.36–1.89; OR 1.34, 95% CI 1.06–1.69). CONCLUSIONS: In acute diverticulitis, race and insurance were associated with differential admission patterns, and patients categorized as black, Hispanic, Asian, or other were less likely to receive surgical treatment or colostomy. Insurance status, but not race, was associated with mortality. Future research is needed to further explore these differences in admission, treatment, and mortality.

Identification of diverticulitis patients at high risk for recurrence and poor outcomes.

BACKGROUND Currently, the indications for elective surgery for patients who have recovered from an acute diverticulitis (AD) are controversial. We examined the natural history of AD in New York and identified risk factors for recurrent admissions and poor outcome to create a simple model to produce risk stratification groups. Poor outcome was defined as complicated disease, emergency surgery, or mortality during any recurrent admission. METHODS Data on adult diverticulitis admissions between 1985 and 2006 were extracted from the state discharge database; recurrences were monitored using unique identifiers. Survivors of nonoperative management who did not undergo subsequent elective surgery were considered eligible for recurrence. Clinical variables from the first admission with significant association with poor outcomes or recurrence were identified using multivariable analysis and were used to create risk stratification groups. RESULTS A total of 237,879 individuals were identified. Of the 181,115 patients eligible for recurrence after one admission, 8.7% recurred; of the patients eligible for recurrence after two admissions, 23.2% recurred. Complicated AD or abscess and age less than 50 years allowed the creation of discrete risk groups for both recurrence and poor outcome. CONCLUSION The majority of patients (91.3%) had no further admissions for AD. However, patients admitted for recurrence were increasingly likely to require subsequent admissions. Patients with complicated AD at the first admission, specifically abscess, had a high risk of recurrence and poor outcome and should be offered surgery. Younger patients also had higher recurrence and poor outcomes. We provide a risk stratification model to help identify patients at high risk for recurrence and poor outcome. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Therapeutic study, level IV; epidemiologic/prognostic study, level III.

Fixation of Intestinal Tissue Using a Novel Endoscopic Device

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to assess the utility and strength of a novel endoscopic fixation device, Brace-Bar, in the large intestine and compare the strength with other currently available techniques. The primary outcome was the strength of fixation using 3 endoscopic methods: BraceBar, suture, and commercially available tackers. The hypothesis is that the use of the BraceBar will result in fixation strength similar to the strength of the other methods. Materials and methods: An ex vivo porcine model was used to test 3 fixation methods: Group 1, BraceBar (Prototype); Group 2, ProTack (AutoSuture); and Group 3, TI-CRON suture (Syneture). Large-bowel segments were fixed to abdominal wall tissue at 20 cm from the distal end of the rectum. Primary endpoint was pull away strength. A total of 45 trials of each method were performed. Comparison between the groups was done using JMP 7.0. Results: There was no significant difference in strength between the BraceBar group and the suture group ( P = .1236). The BraceBar method demonstrated significantly higher strength compared with the tacker group (P = .003). Conclusion: Use of the BraceBar for fixation of the large bowel is at least comparable with suture fixation, making clinical use of BraceBar a reasonable consideration. Use of this device may make endoscopic repair of certain intestinal conditions feasible.

Laparoscopic lumbar hernia repair with bone anchor fixation

IntroductionLumbar hernias are rare defects of the posterolateral abdominal wall. Surgical repair of lumbar hernias is challenging because they are bounded inferiorly by the iliac bone, which makes adequate mesh fixation difficult. We demonstrate a method of a laparoscopic lumbar hernia repair utilizing bone anchor fixation at the inferior border.MethodsThe patient is a 37-year-old male who had been in a motor vehicle collision and presented with a large left lumbar hernia and nonspecific abdominal pain. The patient had a Petit-type hernia that was bordered by the external oblique muscle, the latissimus dorsi, and the iliac crest. We opted to perform a laparoscopic mesh repair. Two Mitek GII QuickAnchor sutures were placed in the anterior superior iliac crest to provide inferior fixation of the mesh, with sufficient overlap of the mesh to prevent recurrence. The remainder of the mesh was fixed with standard laparoscopic tacks and sutures under good visualization to avoid damage of underlying structures.ResultsThe patient did well postoperatively and left the hospital on the first postoperative day. He has had no signs of recurrence at follow-up.ConclusionsThe anatomic features of lumbar hernias create several challenges. A number of surgical approaches for lumbar hernia repair have been described, including laparoscopic and open methods as well as intraperitoneal and preperitoneal approaches and the use of flaps to cover the defects. However, limited fixation points for the mesh can lead to high recurrence rates. Bone anchors have been used in a variety of surgical disciplines, including orthopedics, plastic surgery, and gynecologic surgery, with low complication rates of bone pain or infection. We demonstrated a method that utilizes bone anchor fixation in a laparoscopic approach to overcome the challenge of inferior fixation. This securely repairs the hernia with good coverage of the defect while maintaining the benefits of the minimally invasive approach.

Restrictive Transfusion Practices After Esophagectomy Are Associated With Improved Outcome: A Review of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons General Thoracic Database

Objective: Blood transfusion has been associated with poor outcomes in many disciplines, yet transfusion practices and related outcomes in esophagectomy are unknown. We analyzed the Society of Thoracic Surgeons General Thoracic Database to determine patient factors associated with transfusion after esophagectomy, risk-adjusted variation in transfusion practice among institutions, and the association of transfusion practice with mortality. Methods: We performed a retrospective review of patients undergoing esophagectomy for cancer from October 2008 to December 31, 2014. Patient comorbidities and procedure variables were used to construct a risk model for transfusion. Using this model, each institution was assigned an observed to expected (O:E) transfusion rate. We examined institutional factors associated with variation in O:E transfusion rate. Finally, O:E transfusion rate was compared to risk-adjusted mortality to determine if there was an association of transfusion practice and survival. Results: Seven thousand one hundred thirty-seven patients underwent esophagectomy at 182 institutions during the study period. The median unadjusted transfusion rate was 23.1%. The risk model for transfusion demonstrated patients who received transfusions were more likely to be older, female, and have low preoperative hemoglobin and other comorbidities, such as CAD, COPD, and low creatinine clearance. Patients who received a minimally invasive procedure were less likely to have received a transfusion. After adjusting for the characteristics above, 13 centers (7.1%) were classified as having lower than average O:E transfusion rate and 16 centers (8.7%) were classified as higher than average O:E transfusion rate. Institutions with lower than expected transfusion rates also had lower risk-adjusted perioperative mortality than institutions with higher than expected transfusion rates (median [IQR] = 0.90 [0.77–0.94] vs. 0.99 [0.94–1.06], P = 0.028). Conclusion: Age, female sex, CAD, COPD, renal insufficiency, and open technique are associated with transfusion after esophagectomy, while tumor stage and preoperative chemoradiation are not. There is wide variation in transfusion practice. Centers with lower than expected transfusion rate also had lower than expected perioperative mortality. At an institutional level, lower transfusion rates are associated with improved outcomes.