Postoperative systemic antibiotic usage in elective eyelid surgery: is it really necessary?

PURPOSE: The use of prophylactic antibiotics for oculoplastic procedures varies because of a lack of specific guidelines or literature. Comparable studies in clean orbital surgery have shown no proven benefit and its indiscriminate use has been linked to individual harm and rising levels of resistance. We investigated whether avoidance of systemic prophylactic antibiotics in elective lid surgeries increased surgical site infections (SSI). METHODS: We conducted a case-note audit of consecutive anterior ptosis repair and lateral tarsal strip (LTS) surgeries performed with post-operative oral antibiotics (co-amoxiclav or clarithromycin) and topical chloramphenicol ointment, compared to only topical antibiotics. Data on American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) status, age and incidence of surgical site infection at 2 weeks follow-up were collected. RESULTS: Of a cohort of 232 patients, 99 patients had combined systemic and topical antibiotics (ptosis n = 49, LTS n = 50) and 133 had topical antibiotics (ptosis n = 83, LTS n = 50). The groups were not significantly different for age (p = .6, t-test) or ASA status (p = .7, chi2 test). Three patients from the combined group required further treatment for SSI compared with two patients from the topical antibiotic group (p = .7 Fisher's exact test). CONCLUSIONS: Avoidance of systemic antibiotic prophylaxis for LTS and anterior ptosis repair procedures was not associated with increased SSI rates. Given that prescriptions of antibiotics carry the risk of side-effects and growing antimicrobial resistance, we feel that our study shows that its routine use in this setting is of no benefit.

NOVEL CASE OF CLOSTRIDIUM PERFRINGENS ENDOPHTHALMITIS AFTER ANTI-VASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL GROWTH FACTOR INJECTION.

INTRODUCTION: Endophthalmitis after anti-vascular endothelial growth factor injection is a rare complication but may lead to rapid destruction of structures within the eye. Infection with Clostridium perfringens has not previously been reported in this context. CASE REPORT: A 90-year-old woman presented with endophthalmitis of the right eye, 2 days after an intravitreal injection of ranibizumab. Initial examination showed a high intraocular pressure, refractive to topical treatment, reduced vision, and a hypopyon. Gram stain showed a Gram-positive bacillus, which was identified as C. perfringens. Despite the use of intravitreal and intravenous antibiotics, the patient went on to develop cornea-scleral melt of the right eye. She required an evisceration on the fifth day after ranibizumab. CONCLUSION: This case describes a unique and virulent pathogen leading to globe loss after an anti-vascular endothelial growth factor injection. C. perfringens, naturally living in feces or soil, is more commonly associated with dirty traumatic open-globe injuries. However, it is an important pathogen to consider when there is rapid destruction of eye structures associated with endophthalmitis. Based on a root cause analysis of this case, our department has introduced patient information leaflets on hand hygiene to educate patients having intraocular injections.

A hybrid approach to telepathology in Cambodia.

We established a hybrid telepathology network at the Children's Surgical Centre (CSC) in Cambodia, based on store-and-forward communication using iPATH and videoconferencing using Skype. We retrospectively analysed all data from the CSC stored on the iPATH server and reviewed the patient notes over an 8-month period. Of 115 patients for histopathology diagnosis during the study period, 38 cases were uploaded onto iPATH for further telemedicine discussion. The median number of days it took a specialist, other than the local one, to comment on the case on iPATH was 5 days (range 0-15). In three cases (8%) there was no reply from a specialist on iPATH. During the study period, seven clinical conferences were held, with an average of 6 cases (range 4-7) discussed at each conference. All 38 cases discussed had a final agreed diagnosis and firm management plans were made. Of the 24 cases where proactive management was advised, 17 patients followed through with the recommendations. Although the combination of video consultations and store-and-forward communication has not been used much before in the developing world, it has benefited patient care and outcomes at the CSC.