Search

IntroductionSurgical site infections (SSI) are a common postoperative complication. During the development of the new WHO guidelines on SSI prevention, also in the Netherlands was concluded that perioperative care could be optimised beyond the current standard practice. We selected a limited set of readily available, cheap and evidence-based interventions from these new guidelines that are not part of standard practice in the Netherlands and formulated an Enhanced PeriOperative Care and Health bundle (EPOCH). Here, we describe the protocol for an open-label, randomised controlled, parallel-group, superiority trial to test the effect of the EPOCH bundle added to (national) standard care in comparison to standard care alone on the incidence of SSI.Methods and analysisEPOCH consists of intraoperative high fractional inspired oxygen (0.80); goal-directed fluid therapy; active preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative warming; perioperative glucose control and treatment of severe hyperglycaemia (>10 mmoll-1) and standardised surgical site handling. Patients scheduled for elective abdominal surgery with an incision larger than 5 cm are eligible for inclusion. Participants are randomised daily, 1:1 according to variable block sizes, and stratified per participating centre to either EPOCH added to standard care or standard care only. The primary endpoint will be SSI incidence according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) definition within 30 days as part of routine clinical follow-up. Four additional questionnaires will be sent out over the course of 90 days to capture disability and costs. Other secondary endpoints include anastomotic leakage, incidence of incisional hernia, serious adverse events, hospital readmissions, length of stay and cost effectiveness. Analysis of the primary endpoint will be on an intention-to-treat basis.Ethics and disseminationEthics approval is granted by the Amsterdam UMC Medical Ethics Committee (reference 2015_121). Results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journals and summaries shared with stakeholders. This protocol is published before analysis of the results.Trial registration numberRegistered in the Dutch Trial Register: NL5572.

BACKGROUND: Controversy exists regarding the use of postoperative antibiotics for nonperforated gangrenous appendicitis. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the rate of postoperative infectious complications and the effect of postoperative antibiotic use among patients with nonperforated gangrenous appendicitis. DESIGN: This was a prospective cohort study conducted during 2 months. SETTINGS: A national multicenter observational study was conducted in 62 Dutch hospitals. PATIENTS: All of the consecutive patients who had surgery for suspected acute appendicitis were included. Patients were excluded if no appendectomy was performed or appendectomy was performed for pathology other than acute appendicitis. MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES: Type of appendicitis was categorized as phlegmonous, gangrenous, or perforated. The primary end point was the rate of infectious complications (intra-abdominal abscess and surgical site infection) within 30 days after appendectomy. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify predictors of infectious complications. RESULTS: A total of 1863 patients were included: 1321 (70.9%) with phlegmonous appendicitis, 181 (9.7%) with gangrenous appendicitis, and 361 (19.4%) with perforated appendicitis. Infectious complications were more frequent in patients with gangrenous versus phlegmonous appendicitis (7.2% vs 3.8%; p = 0.03). This association was no longer statistically significant in multivariable analysis (OR = 1.09 (95% CI, 0.49-2.44)). There was no significant difference in infectious complications between ≤24 hours (n = 57) of postoperative antibiotics compared with >24 hours (n = 124; 3.6% vs 8.9%; p = 0.35) in patients with gangrenous appendicitis. LIMITATIONS: Possible interobserver variability in the intraoperative classification of appendicitis was a study limitation. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with nonperforated gangrenous appendicitis are at higher risk of infectious complications than patients with phlegmonous appendicitis, yet gangrenous disease is not an independent risk factor. Postoperative antibiotic use over 24 hours was not associated with decreased infectious complications. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/A1000. RESULTADOS POSTOPERATORIOS DE PACIENTES CON APENDICITIS GANGRENOSA NO PERFORADA: UN ANALISIS DE COHORTE PROSPECTIVO MULTICENTRICO NACIONAL:: Existe controversia sobre el uso de antibioticos postoperatorios para la apendicitis gangrenosa no perforada.El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la tasa de complicaciones infecciosas postoperatorias y el efecto del uso de antibioticos postoperatorios en pacientes con apendicitis gangrenosa no perforada.Estudio de cohorte prospectivo realizado durante dos meses.Estudio observacional multicentrico nacional en 62 hospitales holandeses.Todos los pacientes consecutivos sometidos a cirugia por sospecha de apendicitis aguda. Los pacientes fueron excluidos si no se realizo una apendicectomia o si se realizo una apendicectomia para otra patologia que no fuera la apendicitis aguda.El tipo de apendicitis se clasifico como flegmonosa, gangrenosa o perforada. El criterio de valoracion primario fue la tasa de complicaciones infecciosas (absceso intraabdominal e infeccion en el sitio quirurgico) dentro de los 30 dias posteriores a la apendicectomia. Se realizaron analisis de regresion logistica univariables y multivariables para identificar predictores de complicaciones infecciosas.Se incluyeron un total de 1863 pacientes: 1321 (70,9%) con apendicitis flegmonosa, 181 (9,7%) con apendicitis gangrenosa y 361 (19,4%) con apendicitis perforada. Las complicaciones infecciosas fueron mas frecuentes en pacientes con apendicitis gangrenosa frente a flegmonosa (7,2% frente a 3,8%, p = 0,03). Esta asociacion ya no fue estadisticamente significativa en el analisis multivariable (OR 1,09; IC del 95%: 0,49 a 2,44). No hubo diferencias significativas en las complicaciones infecciosas entre ≤ 24 h (n = 57) de los antibioticos postoperatorios en comparacion con> 24 h (n = 124) (3,6% vs. 8,9%, p = 0,35) en pacientes con apendicitis gangrenosa.Posible variabilidad interobservador en la clasificacion intraoperatoria de la apendicitis.Los pacientes con apendicitis gangrenosa no perforada tienen un mayor riesgo de complicaciones infecciosas que los pacientes con apendicitis flegmonosa, aunque la enfermedad gangrenosa no es un factor de riesgo independiente. El uso de antibioticos postoperatorios durante 24 horas no se asocio con una disminucion de las complicaciones infecciosas. Vea el Resumen del Video en http://links.lww.com/DCR/A1000.

IntroductionRoutine histopathological examination following appendicectomy and cholecystectomy has significant financial implications and comprises a substantial portion of the pathologists’ workload, while the incidence of unexpected pathology is low. The aim of the selective histopathological examination Following AppeNdicectomy and CholecystectomY (FANCY) study is to investigate the oncological safety and potential cost savings of selective histopathological examination based on macroscopic assessment performed by the surgeon.Methods and analysisThis is a Dutch multicentre prospective observational study, in which removed appendices and gallbladders will be systematically assessed by the operating surgeon for macroscopic abnormalities suspicious for malignant neoplasms. After visual inspection and digital palpation of the removed specimen, the operating surgeon will report whether macroscopic abnormalities suspicious for a malignant neoplasm are present, and if he or she believes additional microscopic examination by the pathologist is indicated. Regardless of the surgeon’s assessment, all specimens will be sent for histopathological examination. In this way, routine histopathological examination can be compared with a hypothetical situation in which specimens are routinely examined by surgeons and only sent to the pathologist on indication. The two main outcomes are oncological safety and potential cost savings of a selective policy. Oncological safety of selective histopathological examination will be assessed by calculating the number of patients in whom a histopathological diagnosis of an appendiceal neoplasm or gallbladder cancer with clinical consequences benefitting the patient would have been missed. A cost analysis will be performed to quantify the potential cost savings.Ethics and disseminationThe study protocol was reviewed by the Institutional Review Board of the Amsterdam UMC, location AMC, which decided that the Dutch Medical Research Involving Human Subjects Act is not applicable. In all participating centres, approval for execution of the FANCY study has been obtained from the local Institutional Review Board before the start of inclusion of patients. The study results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations. Guidelines will be revised according to the findings of the study.Trial registration numberNCT03510923.

The most appropriate closure for the appendicular stump with either endoloops or an endostapler in laparoscopic appendectomy remains unclear and under debate because of limited and conflicting evidence. In a 2-month prospective, observational, resident-led nationwide cohort study, patients undergoing laparoscopic appendectomy for both uncomplicated and complicated appendicitis were analysed. Logistic regression analyses were performed for identifying the possible effect of stump closure type and other risk factors for infectious complications. Laparoscopic appendectomy for acute appendicitis was performed in 1369 patients in 62 hospitals; endoloops were used in 76.7 % and an endostapler in other patients. Median operating time was not different between endoloop and endostapler use (42.0 vs. 44.0 min, P = 0.243). A superficial surgical site infection was seen in 2.0 % after uncomplicated appendicitis and in 0.8 % after complicated appendicitis. The intra-abdominal abscess rate was 1.9 % after uncomplicated and 11.0 % after complicated appendicitis. No significant effect of stump closure type was observed for any infectious complication (OR 1.05; 95 % CI 0.625–1.766, P = 0.853) or an intra-abdominal abscess (OR OR 0.96; 95 % CI 0.523–1.768, P = 0.899). In multivariable analysis, complicated appendicitis was identified as the only independent risk factor for an intra-abdominal abscess (OR 6.26; 95 % CI 3.454–11.341, P

Background Acute appendicitis is one of the most common indications for emergency surgery. In patients with a complex appendicitis, prolonged antibiotic prophylaxis is recommended after appendectomy. There is no consensus regarding the optimum duration of antibiotics. Guidelines propose 3 to 7 days of treatment, but shorter courses may be as effective in the prevention of infectious complications. At the same time, the global issue of increasing antimicrobial resistance urges for optimization of antibiotic strategies. The aim of this study is to determine whether a short course (48 h) of postoperative antibiotics is non-inferior to current standard practice of 5 days. Methods Patients of 8 years and older undergoing appendectomy for acute complex appendicitis – defined as a gangrenous and/or perforated appendicitis or appendicitis in presence of an abscess – are eligible for inclusion. Immunocompromised or pregnant patients are excluded, as well as patients with a contraindication to the study antibiotics. In total, 1066 patients will be randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio to the experimental treatment arm (48 h of postoperative intravenously administered (IV) antibiotics) or the control arm (5 days of postoperative IV antibiotics). After discharge from the hospital, patients participate in a productivity-cost-questionnaire at 4 weeks and a standardized telephone follow-up at 90 days after appendectomy. The primary outcome is a composite endpoint of infectious complications, including intra-abdominal abscess (IAA) and surgical site infection (SSI), and mortality within 90 days after appendectomy. Secondary outcomes include IAA, SSI, restart of antibiotics, length of hospital stay (LOS), reoperation, percutaneous drainage, readmission rate, and cost-effectiveness. The non-inferiority margin for the difference in the primary endpoint rate is set at 7.5% (one-sided test at ɑ 0.025). Both per-protocol and intention-to-treat analyses will be performed. Discussion This trial will provide evidence on whether 48 h of postoperative antibiotics is non-inferior to a standard course of 5 days of antibiotics. If non-inferiority is established, longer intravenous administration following appendectomy for complex appendicitis can be abandoned, and guidelines need to be adjusted accordingly. Trial registration Dutch Trial Register, NTR6128. Registered on 20 December 2016. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13063-018-2629-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

The appendix can be a rare cause for chronic right lower quadrant abdominal pain (RLQAP), even though no objective disorder can be determined to the appendix. This condition can be described as chronic appendicitis or (neurogenic) appendicopathy. After careful selection, elective appendectomy is performed in our centre for this group of patients.All patients that underwent an elective appendectomy between 2006 and 2013 were prospectively analysed. Inclusion criterion was chronic RLQAP without abnormalities seen on imaging. Exclusion criterion was pain after conservative treatment of (complicated) appendicitis or an abnormal appendix on imaging like a mass, mucocoele or faecolith. Primary outcome was the effect on the pain postoperatively.In the period of the study, ten patients met the inclusion criteria and underwent an appendectomy for chronic RLQAP. Average preoperative pain score assessed with visual analogue scale (VAS) was 8.6. Preoperative work-up showed no abnormalities. No macroscopic abnormalities were seen during surgery in any of the patients. Histopathological analysis was obtained and showed limited abnormalities in eight of ten patients, mostly suspicion of previous inflammation. Postoperatively, no complications occurred, and at revision after 3 weeks, average VAS was 1.0. Long-term follow-up showed that patients remained free of symptoms; average VAS after a median of 33 months was 1.0.A significant reduction of pain was achieved after an appendectomy in all patients suffering from chronic RLQAP in this series. Seven out of ten patients were completely free of pain.

Background: Surgical site infections (SSI) are seen in up to 5% of patients after appendectomy for acute appendicitis. SSI are associated with prolonged hospital stay and increased costs. The aim of this multicenter study was to identify factors associated with SSI after appendectomy for acute appendicitis. Methods: Patients who underwent appendectomy for acute appendicitis between June 2014 and January 2015 in 6 teaching hospitals in the southwest of the Netherlands were included. Patient, diagnostic, intra-operative and disease-related factors were collected from the patients' charts. Primary outcome was surgical site infection. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify independent risk factors for SSI. Results: Some 637 patients were included. Forty-two patients developed a SSI. In univariable analysis body temperature >38°C, CRP>65 and complex appendicitis were associated with SSI. After multivariable logistic regression with stepwise backwards elimination, complex appendicitis was significantly associated with SSI (OR 4.09; 95% CI 2.04-8.20). Appendiceal stump closure with a stapler device was inversely correlated with SSI (OR 0.40; 95% CI 0.24-0.97) Conclusions: Complex appendicitis is a risk factor for SSI and warrants close monitoring postoperatively. The use of a stapler device for appendiceal stump closure is associated with a reduced risk of SSI.

Anemia is prevalent in patients with chronic heart failure and is associated with worse symptoms and poor prognosis. The authors reviewed the charts of all patients (N=467) treated at Texas Heart Institute from January 2000 to October 2003, during which time a clinical protocol offered treatment with erythropoiesis-stimulating proteins. Post-treatment, the authors observed a significant increase in mean +/- SD hemoglobin, from 9.9+/-1.1 g/dL to 11.7+/-1.5 g/dL (P

Background Laparoscopic appendectomy is the treatment of choice for appendicitis provided sufficient laparoscopic expertise is available. The endostapler possibly provides an easier and safer closure of the appendiceal stump, but at greater expense. This study aimed to compare two strategies for closure of the appendiceal stump in a large retrospective cohort of patients. Methods This study reviewed patients who underwent laparoscopic appendectomy for acute appendicitis in three academic hospitals and two regional hospitals in The Netherlands during the period 1 January 2007 to 30 June 2011. The endostapler was routinely used in two hospitals and selectively used in the remaining three hospitals. Both strategies were compared for complications according to the Clavien-Dindo classification. Results A total of 1,036 patients were analyzed according to the strategy followed. The 571 patients in the first group were routinely treated with the endostapler. For the 465 patients in the second group, the intentional method of stump closure was with endoloops. The endostapler was used when indicated for 69 of these patients. The patient characteristics did not differ between the two groups. The groups also did not differ significantly in number of intraand postoperative complications. In both groups, 4.3 % of the patients had complications classified as grade 3 or higher. There were no significant differences in the prevalence of intraabdominal abscesses (3.2 % vs. 4.3) or wound infections (0.4 and 1.5 %). In a multivariate analysis, the chosen strategy for stump closure was not a significant predictor for postoperative complications. Conclusion Routine use of the endostapler showed no clinical advantages over the use of endoloops with selective endostapler closure. The latter strategy is preferable because it is more cost effective.

Background: Heart failure (HF) is associated with anemia due to complex mechanisms. A few studies allude to improvements in symptoms and objective measures in HF patients with recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEpo) and iron therapy. We analyzed the effect of this therapy in patients treated at our center from January 2000 to October 2003 during which time a clinical protocol offered rHuEpo treatment. Methods: We reviewed the charts of 467 HF patients treated at our center during that period. Records of rHuEpo administration were obtained from the hospital pharmacy database. The rHuEpo was administered to patients with hemoglobin (Hb) 11 g/dL accompanied with oral iron supplementation. Dose was adjusted to the severity of anemia. Follow-up was on average 438 336 days after treatment had begun. Results: Eighty-one (52 men and 29 women, average age 64 13 years) of 179 anemic HF patients (Hb 11 g/dL) were treated with rHuEpo. Twenty-six (38%) of these patients were classified as NYHA class IV, 34 (49%) as class III and 9 (13%) as class II. The average Hb level before rHuEpo therapy was 9.9 1.1 g/dL, during therapy 12.3 1.5 g/dL, (P 0.0001), and 1 month after therapy 11.7 1.7 g/dL (P 0.0001). BUN level before therapy was 51 31 mg/dL. The BUN level after therapy decreased to 38 23 mg/dL (P 0.041). We compared 60 patients NYHA III or IV treated with rHuEpo to 60 non–treated NYHA matched controls. Groups were comparable (P 0.1) regarding age, body weight, gender, and BNP. QTc interval was longer in the rHuEpo group 483 63 ms vs. 461 50 ms (P 0.003). Treated patients had worse renal function at baseline: BUN 54 33 mg/dL, vs. 35 24 mg/dL (P 0.001); creatinine 2.1 1.7 mg/dL vs. 1.6 0.8 mg/dL (P 0.04). Hospital admissions in treated patients decreased during 6 months before and after therapy from 2.0 1.7 to 1.0 1.4, P 0.0004. This number of hospital admissions after therapy was lower than the average number during 6 months in controls 1.7 1.8, P 0.019. Although signs of worse pretreatment health in rHuEpo patients were present, no difference in mortality rate (12/60 [20%] vs. 19/60 [32%], P 0.144), or adverse clinical events like deep vein thrombosis (2% vs. 2%), cerebral vascular accidents (15% vs. 13%), or transient ischemic attacks (2% vs. 8%) was noted between rHuEpo group and controls, respectively. Conclusion: Anemic HF patients benefit from erythropoietin therapy in terms of correction of anemia, improved renal function and decreased need for hospitalization without an increase in adverse effects. 363