Biomedical subjects

B Vennits

Publications and source records attributed to B Vennits.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1999

Smoking and alcohol abuse are major risk factors for anastomotic leakage in colorectal surgery.

BACKGROUND: Several studies have examined the association between anastomotic leakage and intraoperative risk factors in colorectal surgery, but only a few have taken patients' lifestyle into account. The aim of this study was to assess the association between anastomotic leakage and lifestyle factors such as smoking habits and alcohol consumption. METHODS: Between January 1993 and October 1996, 333 unselected consecutive patients in one surgical department underwent colonic or rectal resection with anastomosis. The association between clinical anastomotic leakage and 24 variables related to patient history, diagnosis and surgery was assessed retrospectively and analysed by logistic regression. RESULTS: The rate of clinical anastomotic leakage was 15.9 per cent (53 of 333 patients). Multiple regression analysis showed that smokers, compared with non-smokers, had an increased risk of anastomotic leakage (relative risk (RR) 3.18 (95 per cent confidence interval (c. i.) 1.44-7.00)), as did alcohol abusers compared with abstainers (RR 7.18 (95 per cent c.i. 1.20-43.01)). In the analysis, well known risk factors for anastomotic leakage such as site of anastomosis, age and stage of training of the surgeon were taken into account. CONCLUSION: Smoking and alcohol abuse are important predictive factors for anastomotic leakage after colonic and rectal resection.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1989

Antibiotic prophylaxis in acute nonperforated appendicitis. The Danish Multicenter Study Group III.

In a prospective, block-randomized, multicenter study, the safety and efficacy of cefoxitin in preoperative prophylaxis were studied. 1735 patients undergoing appendectomy were evaluable, and half of these patients received 2 g of cefoxitin before undergoing operation. The patients were divided into three groups: patients with a normal appendix, patients with an acutely inflamed appendix, and patients with a gangrenous appendix. The study showed for each group a significant reduction of the incidence of wound infection in patients receiving prophylaxis. However, intra-abdominal abscess formation was not influenced by preoperative antibiotic prophylaxis. Consequently, routine preoperative prophylaxis is recommended before appendectomy.

Abdomen↗

PubMed1987

The predictive value of the third day temperature in the decision whether to continue or terminate antibiotic treatment in perforated appendicitis.

The third day temperature is frequently used in the decision whether to continue or terminate antibiotic treatment following appendicectomy in perforated appendicitis. To assess the value of the third day temperature in predicting intraperitoneal infectious complications we studied 235 consecutive patients treated with a 3-day course of cefoxitin after surgery for perforated appendicitis. The results demonstrated that regardless of the level of elevated temperature chosen, the predictive value ranged between 16 and 33%. In consequence, elevated third day temperature per se does not provide any rational basis for continuing antibiotic treatment in order to prevent intraperitoneal infectious complications following appendectomy in perforated appendicitis.

Abdomen↗

PubMed1986

Three days cefoxitin in perforated appendicitis.

This study was undertaken to assess the efficacy and safety of a 3-day course of treatment with Mefoxitin (cefoxitin sodium, MSD) in patients with perforated or ruptured appendicitis. A series of 235 patients undergoing surgery for perforated or ruptured appendicitis were treated with cefoxitin for 3 days. Twenty-four patients (10%) developed wound infection and 28 (12%) developed an intra-abdominal abscess postoperatively. No side effects were observed during the study. Compared with the results of our previous series, where a 5-day course of cefoxitin was used, the incidence of wound infection was similar. However the incidence of intra-abdominal abscesses in the present series was significantly higher (p less than 0.01). The results seem to indicate that a 3-day course of cefoxitin is as effective as a 5-day course in controlling the incidence of wound infection following surgery for perforated or ruptured appendicitis, whereas the 3-day course seems to be inferior to a 5-day course in controlling the incidence of intra-abdominal abscesses.

Abscess↗