Antimicrobial Susceptibility Patterns of the Bacterial Isolates in Post-Operative Wound Infections in a Tertiary Care Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal

Unrestrained anti-microbial resistance (AMR) among bacterial pathogens has made the management and treatment of post-operative wound infections difficult. This study assessed the current AMR patterns of bacterial isolates in post-operative wound infections in a tertiary care hospital in Kathmandu,Nepal. Pus swabs collected from post-operative wound infections and submitted for culture and sensitivity were included in this study. Isolation and identification of the organism was done by standard microbiological methods. Antibiotic susceptibility test was performed by Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method and result was interpreted as per National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards (NCCLS) guide lines. Of the 120 pus swabs processed for culture, 96 showed bacterial growth. Staphylococcus aureus 36 (37.5%) was the predominant gram positive isolate and Escherichia coli 24 (25%) was the major gram negative isolate .The infection was most prevalent in the age group 20-40 years. All S. aureus isolates were sensitive to aminoglycosides and vancomycin. Out of 36 S. aureus, 15 (41.66%) isolates were methicillin resistant S. aureus (MRSA). Staphylococcus epidermidis showed high resistance (50%-100%) to all antibiotics but were sensitive to vancomycin. All gram negative isolates showed high resistance against cephalexin (75%-100%) and ceftriaxone (25%-100%). Overall multi-drug resistant isolates were 66.7%. A high level of AMR was observed in gram negative bacterial isolates. Rational use of antibiotics and a regular monitoring of AMR patterns in post-operative wound infections are essential and mandatory to avert further emergence and spread of anti-microbial resistance among bacterial pathogens.

Clinical Study on the Effectiveness of Xian Fang Huo Ming Yin for Treating Cutaneous Infections and Promoting Wound Healing in Patients with Perianal Abscess

Objective:To explore the effect of the Xian Fang Huo Ming Yin(XFHM)for treating cutaneous infections and promoting wound healing in patients with perianal abscesses.Methods:Sixty-one patients with perianal abscesses who were admitted to our hospital(Xinghua City People’s Hospital)from May 2022 to May 2023 were selected and randomly divided into two groups,a control group(30 cases)and a study group(31 cases).Both groups received surgical treatment.The control group received conventional treatment and warm water fumigation,sitz bath,and surgical dressing change after surgery,while the research group received XFHM based on the control group.XFHM was taken orally and replaced with warm water for fumigation and sitz bathing.Both groups received treatment for 4 weeks but discontinued sitz bathing after 2 weeks.Various clinical indicators between the two groups were compared.Results:The total clinical effective rate and wound recovery rate of the study group were higher than that of the control group.There were differences in the wound pain scores,surrounding tissue edema,and wound secretions at different time points.Both groups experienced wound pain.The scores of wound pain,surrounding tissue edema,and wound secretions of the study group were lower than those of the control group,7 and 14 days after surgery.The serum interleukin 6(IL-6),tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-α)levels,and pH values of the study group were lower than those of the control group 10 days after surgery(P<0.05).Conclusion:The application of XFHM for treating cutaneous infections and promoting wound healing in patients with perianal abscesses improved the treatment outcome,alleviated clinical symptoms,and promoted healing.

Analysis of a ten step protocol to decrease postoperative spinal wound infections

AIM To define a ten-step protocol that reduced the incidence of surgical site infection in the spine surgery practice of the senior author and evaluate the support for each step based on current literature.METHODS In response to unexplained increased infection rates at our institution following spine surgery,a ten-step protocol was implemented:(1) preoperative glycemic management based on hemoglobin A1 c(HbA1 c);(2) skin site preoperative preparation with 2% chlorhexidine gluconate disposable cloths;(3) limit operating room traffic;(4) cut the number of personnel in the room to the minimum required;(5) absolutely no flash sterilization of equipment;(6) double-gloving with frequent changing of outer gloves;(7) local application of vancomycin powder;(8) re-dosing antibiotic every 4 h for prolonged procedures and extending postoperative coverage to 72 h for high-risk patients;(9) irrigation of subcutaneous tissue with diluted povidone-iodine solution after deep fascial closure; and(10) use of Dura Prep skin preparation at the end of a case before skin closure. Through an extensive literature review,the current data available for each of the ten steps was evaluated.RESULTS Use of vancomycin powder in surgical wounds,routine irrigation of surgical site,and frequent changing of surgical gloves are strongly supported by the literature. Preoperative skin preparation with chlorhexidine wipes is similarly supported. The majority of current literature supports control of HbA1 c preoperatively to reduce risk of infection. Limiting the use of flash sterilization is supported,but has not been evaluated in spine-specific surgery. Limiting OR traffic and number of personnel in the OR are supported although without level 1 evidence. Prolonged use of antibiotics postoperativelyis not supported by the literature. Intraoperative use of Dura Prep prior to skin closure is not yet explored.CONCLUSION The ten-step protocol defined herein has significantly helped in decreasing surgical site infection rate. Several of the steps have already been shown in the literature to have significant effect on infection rates. As several measures are required to prevent infection,instituting a standard protocol for all the described steps appears beneficial.

Antimicrobial approach of abdominal post-surgical infections

Abdominal surgical site infections(SSIs)are infections that occur after abdominal surgery.They can be superficial,involving the skin tissue only,or more profound,involving deeper skin tissues including organs and implanted materials.Currently,SSIs are large global health problem with an incidence that varies significantly depending on the United Nations’Human Development Index.The purpose of this review is to provide a practical update on the latest available literature on SSIs,focusing on causative pathogens and treatment with an overview of the ongoing studies of new therapeutic strategies.

Reconstruction of the lower back wound with delayed infection after spinal surgery:A case report

BACKGROUND Orthopedic surgeries after device implantation are susceptible to infections and may require device removal in the worst cases.For this reason,many efforts are being made to control infections after spinal surgery;however,the number of infec-tion cases is increasing owing to the increasing number of elderly citizens.CASE SUMMARY A 75-year-old male with a chronic spinal defect due to previous spine surgery underwent reconstruction using a perforator-based island flap.After bursectomy and confirmation that there was no connection with the deep tissue,reconstruction was performed.However,wound disruption occurred with abscess formation on postoperative day 29,which led to an imaging workup revealing delayed deep tissue infection.CONCLUSION Infection is one of the most common causes of surgical wound dehiscence and is associated with devastating results if not controlled promptly and definitively.Surgeons should always suspect delayed infections when reconstructing chronic soft tissue defects.

Sternal Reconstruction of Deep Sternal Wound Infections Following Median Sternotomy by Single-stage Muscle Flaps Transposition

Objective To assess clinical effectiveness of using bilateral pectoralis major or plus rectus abdominis muscle flaps in treating deep sternal wound infection(DSWI) following median sternotomy. Methods Between January 2009 and December 2013, 19 patients with DSWI after median sternotomy for cardiac surgery were admitted to our hospital, including 14 males(73.7%) and 5 females(26.3%), aged 55±13(18-78) years. According to the Pairolero classification of infected median sternotomies, 3(15.8%) patients were type II, and the other 16(84.2%) were type III. Surgical procedure consisted of adequate debridement of infected sternum, costal cartilage, granulation, steel wires, suture residues and other foreign substances. Sternal reconstruction used the bilateral pectoralis major or plus rectus abdominis muscle flaps to obliterate dead space. The drainage tubes were placed and connected to a negative pressure generator for adequate drainage. Results There were no intraoperative deaths. In 15 patients(78.9%), bilateral pectoral muscle flaps were mobilized sufficiently to cover and stabilize the defect created by wound debridement. 4 patients(21.0%) needed bilateral pectoral muscle flaps plus rectus abdominis muscle flaps because their pectoralis major muscle flaps could not reach the lowest portion of the wound. 2 patients(10.5%) presented with subcutaneous infection, and 3 patients(15.8%) had hematoma. They recovered following local debridement and medication. 17 patients(89.5%) were examined at follow-up 12 months later, all healed and having stable sternum. No patients showed infection recurrence during the follow-up period over 12 months. Conclusion DSWI following median sternotomy may be effectively managed with adequate debridement of infected tissues and reconstruction with bilateral pectoralis major muscle or plus rectus abdominis muscle flap transposition.

Nursing Practice on Post-Operative Wound Care in Surgical Wards at Muhimbili National Hospital, Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania

Background: Postoperative wound healing has been a problem which causes high mortality in the developing world;postoperative wound has been reported to cause devastating consequences and a measurable mortality. There is a limited number of published studies in Tanzania investigating Nursing practice on post-operative wound care in surgical wards at Muhimbili National Hospital, Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania. This study assesses nursing practice on postoperative wound care by nurses in surgical wards at Muhimbili National Hospital. Methods: A cross-sectional study of surgical nurses was carried out through the use of randomly selected surgical wards at Muhimbili National Hospital in Tanzania from September 2011 to July 2013. A multistage cluster sampling technique was used to obtain a suitable number of study participants. Data collection was done using a checklist from a convenient sample of 71 nurses in selected surgical wards. Results: The result indicates that a big number of the participants were female (76.5%) and those of the age group 25 to 34 years were 40.8%. Participants exceeding a half of the selected sample reported to have poor post-operative wound care practice (57.7%). In comparison, male participants scored higher, and had better practice than their female counterparts, however, there was no considerable difference in the scores (P = 0.803). During set-up and preparation phase, the washing of hands before starting and after the completion of procedure was taken into consideration by less than half of the participants (49.3%). All participants did not ensure the environment is clean and take into account the patient’s privacy through the use of screen or even closing the room. The report shows that nurses take into consideration putting on clean gloves during the removal of the old dressing (99%), the use of sterile gloves during wound dressing was taken into consideration by most of the nurses (63%). Good practice was noted in applying dressing solution as recommended (85%), dry sterile dressing was applied by (90%), arrangement and setting up of dressing forceps and other items that may be needed in order of their application using forceps (20%), usage of forceps to dip gauze into antiseptic solution (35%) and cleaning of the wound cleaning from least contaminated to most contaminated area was only adhered to by (34%). Post-operative counseling and giving to the patient not to temper with the wound was done by a representation of only 15% of nurses. All the nurses did not do the documentation of the changes observed on the wound nor did they report on the patients comfort and the date and time after the procedure wound changes, reported patient comfort, and recorded date or time after the procedure. Conclusion: Majority of the nurses in surgical wards do not follow the postoperative wound care checklist provided by MNH although they know its importance. Assessment of the wound and documentation continues to be a problem in the nursing profession in Tanzania. Nurses are reasonably knowledgeable about the principal of wound dressing;however, lack of knowledge on some of the key principles of wound dressing is worth noting. Almost half of the nurses do not wash hands before and after the procedures, they don’t use single gauze in one direction only, not cleaning from least contaminated to most contaminated area, which can lead to wound contamination.

An Observational Study of Midline Abdominal Wound Closure Using Small Tissue Bites versus Large Tissue Bites with Reference to Surgical Site Infections and Wound Dehiscence

Background: Midline incisions have advantage of rapid and wide access to the abdominal cavity with minimal damage to muscles, nerves and the vascular supply of the abdominal wall, hence causing minimal long term morbidity. The techniques of wound closure after midline laparotomy differ among operating surgeons and institutions. Faulty techniques and suture materials used play a crucial role in post-operative wound complications like stich abscess, surgical site infections, wound burst and incisional hernia. Aims: The aim of this study is to assess the outcome of midline abdominal wound closure using small tissue bites versus large tissue bites with reference to surgical site infection and wound dehiscence. Materials and methods: The study is the prospective observational study conducted in the department of general surgery Government Medical College Srinagar. A total of 100 cases were enrolled and studied who underwent midline laparotomy in the elective as well as emergency settings from 2015 to 2018. In 50 patients midline incisions were closed with large tissue bites placed at least 10 mm from the wound edge and 10 mm apart and in another 50 patients small tissue bites were used placed 5 - 7 mm from the wound edge and 5 - 7 mm apart and included only the aponeurosis in the stitches without peritoneum. Results: In all, 100 patients, 50 patients were subjected to large tissue bites and another 50 patients to small tissue bites. 15 patients out of 50 patients (30%) in large tissue bites group and 10 patients (20%) in small tissue bites developed surgical site infection. 8 patients out of 50 patients (16%) in large tissue bites group and 4 patients (8%) in small tissue bites developed wound dehiscence. Conclusion: A total of 100 patients who underwent abdominal surgery through midline incision were divided into two groups. In 50 patients midline wound was closed using large tissue bites and in other 50 patients;small tissue bites was used to close midline incision including only aponeurosis. The research findings show that the small stitch length between 5 to 7 mm depending on the wound site is the ideal stitch length to close a midline incision. However, there was no statistical deference seen in both groups with reference to surgical site infection and wound dehiscence.

Deep Sternal Wound Infections after Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: Analysis of 29 Cases from Iraq

Background: Deep sternal wound infection (DSWI), or mediastinitis, is a devastating complication of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). This prospective study aimed to assess our management of DSWI in view of the published literature. Methods: Over 2-years (ending in January 2016), 29 patients (20 males) developed DSWI amongst 520 patients who underwent standard CABG surgeries (5.6%). Pre-, intra- and postoperative variables were documented. Whenever possible, the infections were culture-verified. Besides antibiotics, patients received one or more of the following therapies: drainage, debridement, closed irrigation, sternal re-wiring, vacuum-assisted closure (VAC), and bone resection. Results: the male to female ratio was 2.2:1. Mean age was 58.1 ± 7.3 years. The mean body mass index (BMI) was 27.9 ± 3.4 kg/m2. There were 18, 16 and 11 patients with diabetes mellitus (DM), hypertension and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) respectively. Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) was utilized in 26 (89.7%) patients with a mean time of 117.5 ± 23.3 minutes. Most surgeries (n = 21, 72.4%) lasted 5 - 6 hrs. According to Pairolero classification, there were 3 (10.3%) Type I, 22 (75.9%) Type II and 4 (13.8%) Type III infections. Four (13.8%) cases were culture-verified. Twenty-three (79.3%) DSWIs were surgically managed. Sternal re-wiring was performed in 14 (48.3%) cases while VAC was added to other therapies in 2 (6.9%) patients. DSWIs completely resolved in 18 (62.0%) patients within 3 - 24 weeks while two (6.9%) patients died within 30 days. Conclusion: We have identified six independent risk factors for DSWI (male gender, obesity, DM, hypertension, COPD and CPB), five of them are modifiable.

Wound irrigation for preventing surgical site infections

Wound irrigation(i.e.washing out a wound before wound closure)aims to reduce the microbial burden by removing tissue debris,metabolic waste,and tissue exudate from the surgical field before site closure.Although it is a popular procedure in every day surgical practice,the lack of procedure standardization,leads to studies with high heterogeneity and often controversial results.Thus,there are studies that advocate its use,while others discourage its implementation in clinical practice to reduce the risk of surgical site infection.The present article reviews the current literature on wound irrigation for preventing surgical site infections.Several irrigants are presented.Chlorexidine is generally considered to be less effective than povidone-iodine,while antibiotics are not that common nowadays,as they require prolonged exposure with the target to act.Hydrogen peroxide has several potential complications,which eliminate its use.Any differences in the incidence of surgical site infections between different irrigants,especially between antibacterial and non-bacterial ones,should be viewed sceptically.More randomized controlled studies are needed to provide better quality of evidence regarding the irrigants'effectiveness and safety.

Deep sternal wound infection after cardiac surgery: Evidences and controversies

Despite many advances in prevention and perioperative care, deep sternal wound infection(DSWI) remains a pressing concern in cardiac surgery, with a still relevant incidence and with a considerable impact on in-hospital mortality and also on mid- and long-term survival. The permanent high impact of this complication is partially related to the increasing proportion of patients at highrisk for infection, as well as to the many patient and surgical risk factors involved in the pathogenesis of DSWI. The prophylactic antibiotic therapy is one of the most important tools in the prevention of DSWI. However, the choice of antibiotic, the dose, the duration, the adequate levels in serum and tissue, and the timing of antimicrobial prophylaxis are still controversial. The treatment of DSWI ranges from surgical revision with primary closure to surgical revision with open dressings or closed irrigation, from reconstruction with soft tissue flaps to negative pressure wound therapy(NPWT). However, to date, there have been no accepted recommendations regarding the best management of DSWI. Emerging evidence in the literature has validated the efficacy and safety of NPWT either as a single-line therapy, or as a "bridge" prior to final surgical closure. In conclusion, the careful control of patient and surgical risk factors- when possible, the proper antimicrobial prophylaxis, and the choice of validated techniques of treatment could contribute to keep DSWIs at a minimal rate.

Misuse of prophylactic antibiotics and prevalence of postoperative wound infection in obstetrics and gynecology department in a Sudanese hospital

Purpose: This study was conducted to audit prophylactic antibiotic use and to quantify the rate of wound infection. Methods: Across-sectional prospective study was conducted in the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department in Khartoum Teaching Hospital, Sudan during March 1st to 31st October 2010. All Patients (aged >18 years) were included. Results: Overall 725 patients were included. The performed surgical procedures were 751;of these 578 (76.9%) were Caesarean sections. Overall rate of wound infection was 7.8%. The rate of wound infection among patients operated on for caesarean section and abdominal hysterectomy was 8.3%, and 9.2%, respectively. Multivariate logistic analysis showed that body mass index [BMI] ≥ 30 kg/m2 OR 2.1, 95% CI (1.1 - 4.0), (P = 0.019) was the major independent risk factor for occurrence of wound infection. Evaluation of prescriptions’ parameters against the stated criteria showed that 113 (15.8%) patients were given antibiotics with adequate spectrum of activity, 611 (85.3%) given sub-dose/s, 83 (11.6%) received the first preoperative dose/s in a proper time window, and 716 (100%) had prophylaxis for extended duration. Overall conformity to the stated criteria for the evaluation of prescription’s parameters was not achieved in all prescriptions. Conclusions: In this setting, antibiotics were irrationally used and wound infection rate was high, and the situation calls for multiple interventions to correct the situation, through the activation of the infection control committee in the hospital and development of antimicrobial subcommittee to develop policies for the use and auditing of prophylactic antibiotics.

Probiotics to counteract biofilm-associated infections: promising and conflicting data

Altered bowel flora is currently thought to play a role in a variety of disease conditions, and the use of Bifidobacterium spp. and Lactobacillus spp. as probiotics has been demonstrated to be health-promoting, even if the success of their administration depends on the applied bacterial strain（s） and the targeted disease. In the last few decades, specific probiotics have been shown to be effective in the treatment or the prevention of acute viral gastroenteritis, pediatric post-antibiotic-associated diarrhea, some pediatric allergic disorders, necrotizing enterocolitis in preterm infants, inflammatory bowel diseases and postsurgical pouchitis. The potential application of probiotics is continuously widening, with new evidence accumulating to support their effect on the prevention and treatment of other disease conditions, including several oral diseases, such as dental caries, periodontal diseases and oral malodor, as well as genitourinary and wound infections. Considering the increasingly widespread ability of pathogens to generate persistent biofilm-related infections, an even more attractive proposal is to administer probiotics to prevent or counteract biofilm development.The response of biofilm-based oral, intestinal, vaginal and wound infections to probiotics treatment will be reviewed here in light of the most recent results obtained in this field.

The risk of wound infection after simple hand laceration

BACKGROUND: This prospective observational study aimed to determine the infection rate of simple hand laceration(SHL), and to compare infection rates between patients who were prescribed antibiotics and those who were not.METHODS: The study was performed at two urban hospitals enrolling 125 emergency department(ED) patients with SHL. Exclusion criteria included patients with lacerations for more than 12 hours, immunocompromized patients, patients given antibiotics, and patients with gross contamination, bites or crush injuries. Wound infection was defined as clinical infection at a follow-up visit(10–14 days) or wound was treated with antibiotics. Patient satisfaction was also measured using a visual analogue scale 1–10, asking the patients about wound appearance. Demographic data and wound characteristics were compared between the infected and non-infected wounds. The infection rates were also compared between patients who received prophylactic antibiotics and those who did not. The results were presented with medians and quartiles or percentages with 95% confidence intervals(CI).RESULTS: In the 125 patients with SHL [median age: 28(18, 43); range: 1–102 years old; 36% female], 44(35%, 95% CI: 27%–44%) were given antibiotics in the ED. Wound infection was reported in 6 patients(4.8%, 95% CI: 2%–10%). Age, gender, history of diabetes and wound closure were not associated with wound infection(P>0.05). The infection rate was not significantly different between patients with or without antibiotic prophylaxis [7%(3/44), 95% CI: 2%–10% vs. 4%(3/81), 95% CI: 1%–11%, P=0.66]. Patient's satisfaction with appearance ofinfected and non-infected wounds were significantly different [7.5(6, 8) vs. 9(8, 10), P=0.01].CONCLUSION: Approximately 5% of simple hand lacerations become infected. Age, gender, diabetes, prophylactic antibiotics and closure technique do not affect the risk ofinfection.

Risk Factors for Wound Infection Following Caesarean Section: A Case Control Study from Sir Salimullah Medical College &Mitford Hospital in Dhaka, Bangladesh

Background: Post caesarean section (CS) wound infection or surgical site infection is a leading cause of prolonged hospital stay or readmission. An understanding of its risk factors is important. Methods: A case control study was conducted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Sir Salimullah Medical College & Mitford Hospital, in Dhaka, Bangladesh from January to June 2014 to evaluate the risk factors of postoperative surgical site infection following CS. One hundred patients were studied. Results: Fifty patients of post CS wound infection (surgical site infection: SSI) were selected as cases. Body mass index > 25 (kg/m2), anemia (p = 0.001), prolonged rupture of membrane (p = 0.005), prolonged operation time (p = 0.019), and junior surgeons performing the operation (p = 0.011) were the risk factors for CS-SSI. Conclusions: Pre- and postoperative care and surgical training of junior doctors should be directed to these risk factors.

Estimation of Cytokines Involved in Acute-Phase Wound Infection with Reference to Residence Time of Patients in Hospitals

Background: Cytokines have a major role in mediating immunity as well as inflammation. The main proinflammatory cytokines are activated after injury and implicated in healing interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). High levels of IL-6 are recorded at initial inflammatory response and start decreasing down to eight day of wounding while TNF-α level remained static and IL-1α levels showed a different pattern of change following injury and consequence of infection. Methodology: This study was conducted in Al-Kindy and Al-Wasity hospitals in Baghdad on 200 patients suffering from wounds. One hundred patients were with acute wounds infection and the other 100 patients wounded but without infection and considered as control. Interleukin-1α (IL-1α), interleukin-TNF-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-60) were determined utilizing ELISA kit sandwich methods (Elabscience, USA). Results: The present study revealed that the values of IL-1α, and TNF-α at 48 hours of hospitalization were 23.547 and 27.177 pg/ml among patients with infected wounds respectively, and 7.05 and 28.127 pg/ml among patients without wound infections respectively. While IL-6 showed a highest level at 96 hours of residence in hospital and the value was 183.43 pg/ml for patients with infected wounds, and the value of the same interleukin was 88.696 pg/ml at 72 hours of residence of patients without wound infections. Conclusions: Interleukin-1α elevated after 24 hr of infection and then decreased. Proinflammatory cytokines (IL-6) was detectable within 24 hr of infection. The highest concentration of IL-6 was seen with mixed bacteria and followed by gram negative bacteria and this probably due to lipopolysaccharide secretion caused an increase of IL-6 in blood circulation. Irregular changes were seen in TNF-α values with durations of patients stay in hospitals.

Wound Infection Caused by Chromobacterium violaceum: A Case Report from a Tertiary Care Hospital in Bangladesh

Chromobacterium violaceum is a Gram negative, facultative anaerobe, generally present in water, soil in tropical and subtropical regions. This bacterium is an emerging environmental pathogen that causes life threatening infection in humans and animals. It can cause wound infection, visceral abscess, septicaemia, meningitis, diarrhoea, UTI. It is associated with significant mortality due to severe systemic infection. As the bacteria have high spreading tendency leading to sepsis, early identification and prompt treatment is necessary. Here we report a case of Chromobacterium violaceum wound infection in a 9 years old male from Dhaka, who was successfully treated with combination of cefixime and flucloxacillin antibiotics as per culture sensitivity report.

Antibiotic Prescribing Patterns and Prevalence of Surgical Site Infections in Caesarean Section Deliveries at Two Tertiary Hospitals in Lusaka, Zambia

Introduction: A caesarean section (CS) is one of the most frequently performed obstetric surgeries in the world and its use has increased dramatically in recent years. The number of caesarean section cases worldwide has been increasing each year, and the World Health Organization (WHO) reported an excess of 10% - 15% of CS procedures for all births. However, some women experience surgical site infections (SSIs) after undergoing CS delivery. This study investigated the prescribing patterns of antibiotics in CS deliveries and the prevalence of SSIs at two tertiary hospitals in Lusaka, Zambia. Materials and Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2020 to December 2020 at the Women and Newborn University Teaching Hospital (UTH) and the Levy Mwanawasa University Teaching Hospital, in Lusaka, Zambia. Results: Of a total of 838 women who delivered via CS, more than half were aged between 21 and 25 years (n = 461, 55.0%), 56.3% were from low-cost residential areas, and 57% had emergency CS delivery. The prevalence of SSIs was 6.0%, with the level of education (OR 0.377, 95% CI 0.150 - 0.946), type of caesarean section (OR 6.253, 95% CI 2.833 - 13.803), and oral antibiotics post-caesarean (OR 0.218, 95% CI 0.049 - 0.963). The duration of IV antibiotic treatment significantly predicted SSI (p Conclusion: This study found that the third-generation cephalosporin (cefotaxime) and triple combination therapy (benzylpenicillin, gentamicin, and metronidazole) were the most frequently prescribed antibiotics before and after CS. The level of education, type of CS, oral antibiotics post-CS, facility, and duration of administering IV antibiotics were all predictors of SSIs.

Tackling Post-Operative Cutaneous Scarring with Autologous Cell Therapy

Regenerative medicine has brought about refreshing new thinking about age old problems. However, some problems remain mostly untouched and are not being addressed. A point in question is the track of scar tissue left behind post-operatively, which reveals the surgeon’s line of invasive incision. This confers on the patient an adverse psychological reminder and burden for the rest of his/her life. Most patients cannot afford corrective plastic surgery to ameliorate this skin defect. This paper seeks to ask whether biomedical scientists could play a role in arriving at a more pleasing cosmetic result, using a simple cell culture procedure of isolating un-manipulated autologous primary epidermal and dermal cells from a small skin tissue segment in close proximity to the surgeon’s incision line.

15.5.Urinary tract infections and pyelonephritis

920361 Monitoring and controlling of renaltransplant infection.FU Weiling (府伟灵),et al.Dept Infect Dis,Xinan Hosp,3rd Med Univ.NatlMed J Chin 1991;71(12):676-679.Infection is still the leading cause of death