The impact of a modified World Health Organization surgical safety checklist on maternal outcomes in a South African setting: A stratified cluster-randomised controlled trial

Background. In South Africa (SA), the Saving Mothers Reports have shown an alarming increase in deaths during or after caesarean delivery.Objective. To improve maternal surgical safety in KwaZulu-Natal Province, SA, by implementing the modified World Health Organization surgical safety checklist for maternity care (MSSCL) in maternity operating theatres.Methods. The study was a stratified cluster-randomised controlled trial conducted from March to November 2013. Study sites were 18 hospitals offering maternal surgical services in the public health sector. Patients requiring maternal surgical intervention at the study sites were included. Pre-intervention surgical outcomes were assessed. Training of healthcare personnel took place over 1 month, after which the MSSCL was implemented. Post-intervention surgical outcomes were assessed and compared with the pre-intervention findings and the control arm. The main outcome measure was the mean incidence rate ratios (IRRs) of adverse incidents associated with surgery.Results. Significant improvements in the adverse incident rate per 1 000 procedures occurred with combined outcomes (IRR 0.805, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.706 - 0.917), postoperative sepsis (IRR 0.619, 95% CI 0.451 - 0.849), referral to higher levels of care (IRR 1.409, 95% CI 1.066 - 1.862) and unscheduled return to the operating theatre (IRR 0.719, 95% CI 0.574 - 0.899) in the intervention arm. Subgroup analysis based on the quality of implementation demonstrated greater reductions in maternal mortality in hospitals that were good implementers of the MSSCL.Conclusions. Incorporation of the MSSCL into routine surgical practice has now been recommended for all public sector hospitals in SA, and emphasis should be placed on improving the quality of implementation

Seuil de positivité de la troponine i cardiaque dans le diagnostic de l'IDM péri-opératoire après chirurgie cardiaque sous circulation extra-corporelle chez l'adulte

Introduction:l'objectif de cette étude prospective, réalisée sur une année au laboratoire de biochimie de l'HMIMV de Rabat, vise à étudier la cinétique de la Troponine Ic (TnIc) après chirurgie cardiaque sous circulation extracorporelle (CEC) en vue d'établir des valeurs seuils pour le diagnostic d'infarctus de myocarde péri-opératoire (IDMPO). Méthodes: nous avons inclus 58 patients opérés pour chirurgie valvulaire ou pontage coronarien sous CEC. Ces patients ont été séparés en 3 groupes selon l'évolution clinique, biologique (TnIc) et électrique durant la période post opératoire précoce. Nous avons dosé et suivi la cinétique de la TnIc par une technique immuno-enzymatique, au moyen du réactif FlexR CTNI avant et après la CEC, à H0, H3, H6, H12, H21, H24 et H72 sur l'automate Dimension Xpand plusR de la société Siemens.Résultats: les résultats obtenus sont plus élevés qu'en cardiologie, même chez le groupe des patients sans complications cardiaques post opératoires, avec un taux moyen de TnIc environ 2,5 fois supérieur à la valeur seuil en cardiologie. La cinétique de libération est significativement différente entre les 3 groupes (p<0,05).Conclusion: la valeur seuil que nous proposons pour confirmer le diagnostic de l'IDMPO est de 13ng/ml obtenue entre H12 et H24. Nous recommandons, de ce fait, un à deux prélèvements vers H12 puis entre H20 et H24

A Review of the Peri-Operative Management of Paediatric Burns: Identifying Adverse Events

Background. Burn injuries are common in poverty-stricken countries. The majority of patients with large and complex burns are referred to burn centres. Of the children who qualify for admission; according to burn admission criteria; about half require some kind of surgical procedure to obtain skin cover. These range from massive full-thickness fire burns to skin grafts for small; residual unhealed wounds. Burn anaesthetic procedures are of the most difficult to perform and are known for high complication rates. Reasons include peri-operative sepsis; bleeding; issues around thermoregulation; the hypermetabolic state; nutritional and electrolyte issues; inhalation injuries and the amount of movement during procedures to wash patients; change drapes and access different anatomical sites. The appropriate execution of surgery is therefore of the utmost importance for both minor and major procedures.Objective. To review the peri-operative management and standard of surgical care of burnt children.Methods. This was a retrospective review and analysis of standard peri-operative care of burnt children at Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital; Cape Town; South Africa. A total of 558 children were operated on and supervised by the first author. Factors that could adversely affect surgical and anaesthetic outcomes were identified.Results. There were 257 males and 301 females in this study; with an average age of 50.1 months and average weight of 19.5 kg. The total body surface area involved was 1 - 80%; with an average of 23.5%. Inhalational injury was present in 11.3%; pneumonia in 13.1%; wound sepsis in 20.8%; and septicaemia in 9.7%; and organ dysfunction in more than one organ was seen in 6.1%. The average theatre temperature during surgery was 30.0oC. Core temperatures recorded at the start; halfway through and at completion of surgery were 36.9oC; 36.8oC and 36.5oC; respectively. The average preoperative and postoperative haemoglobin levels were 11.28 g/dL and 9.64 g/dL; respectively. Blood loss was reduced by the use of clysis from 1.5 mL/kg/% burn to 1.4 mL/kg/% burn. Adverse intraoperative events were seen in 17.6% of children.Conclusion. Burn surgery is a high-risk procedure and comorbidities are common. Anaesthesia and surgery must be well planned and executed with special reference to temperature control; rapid blood loss; preceding respiratory illnesses and measures to reduce blood loss