[Impact of the implementation of parenteral nutrition program by the clinical nutrition unit in surgical patients]. / Impacto de la introducción de un programa de nutrición parenteral por la unidad de nutrición clínica en pacientes quirúrgicos.

INTRODUCTION: The creation of a Nutrition Unit (NU), with a specialized professional establishing homogenous criteria and standardized proceedings for the use of parenteral nutrition (PN) may improve the clinical course of the patients and decrease the number of technique-related complications. OBJECTIVES: To describe the clinical characteristics of the patients submitted to PN at our Center. To assess the effect that the implementation of a NU has on the patients clinical course, and to know the frequency of mortality and hospital stay duration after the implementation of the NU at the University Hospital Complex of Albacete. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We reviewed the clinical charts of the patients receiving PN during the two years before and the two years after the creation of the NU by means of a two-period cohort study. RESULTS: Of the 390 patients, 100 belonged to the cohort before the NU and 290 to the following cohort. 61.3% of the patients were admitted at the surgery department. 25% of the patients had a personal history of digestive pathology. Among the reasons for ordering PN to the NU, surgical complications were the most common (66.7%). Oncologic abdominal surgery was the most common category (39.3%) out of the six in which the patients have been categorized. The mortality rate for the first cohort was 29% and for the second cohort 12.8% (p < 0,00). The average of stay days for the first cohort was 29.53 days and 27.67 days for the second one (p = 0.41). CONCLUSIONS: The implementation of a NU has a positive impact on the clinical course of hospitalized patients submitted to PN.

Impacto de la introducción de un programa de nutrición parenteral por la unidad de nutrición clínica en pacientes quirúrgicos / Impact of the implementation of a parenteral nutrition program by the clinical nutrition unit in a surgical patients

Introducción: La creación de una Unidad de Nutrición (UN), con un especialista en la materia que establezca criterios homogéneos y procedimientos estandarizados de uso de la nutrición parenteral (NP) puede mejorar el curso clínico de los pacientes y disminuir las complicaciones relacionadas con la técnica. Objetivos: Describir las características clínicas de los pacientes sometidos a NP en nuestro centro. Evaluar el efecto que la introducción de una UN tiene en el curso clínico de los pacientes y conocer la frecuencia de mortalidad y duración la estancia tras la introducción de una UN en el Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Albacete. Material y métodos: Se estudiaron las historias clínicas de los pacientes que recibieron NP durante los dos años previos y los dos años posteriores a la creación de la UN mediante un estudio de cohortes con doble temporalidad. Resultados: De 390 pacientes, 100 pertenecen a la cohorte previa a la UN y 290 a la posterior. Un 61,3% de los pacientes estaban ingresados en cirugía. Un 25% de los pacientes presentaba antecedentes de patología digestiva. Respecto a los motivos por los que se solicitó la NP a la UN, las complicaciones quirúrgicas fueron los más frecuentes (66,7%). La cirugía abdominal tumoral fue la categoría más frecuente (39,3%) de las seis en las que se han clasificado a los pacientes. La mortalidad en la primera cohorte fue 29% y en la segunda 12.8% (p < 0,00). 29,53 días fue la media de los días de estancia en la primera cohorte y 27,67 días en la segunda (p = 0,41). Conclusiones: La introducción de una UN tiene un impacto positivo en la evolución de los pacientes hospitalizados sometidos a NP (AU)

Introduction: The creation of a Nutrition Unit (NU), with a specialized professional establishing homogenous criteria and standardized proceedings for the use of parenteral nutrition (PN) may improve the clinical course of the patients and decrease the number of technique-related complications. Objectives: To describe the clinical characteristics of the patients submitted to PN at our Center. To assess the effect that the implementation of a NU has on the patients clinical course, and to know the frequency of mortality and hospital stay duration after the implementation of the NU at the University Hospital Complex of Albacete. Material and methods: We reviewed the clinical charts of the patients receiving PN during the two years before and the two years after the creation of the NU by means of a two-period cohort study. Results: Of the 390 patients, 100 belonged to the cohort before the NU and 290 to the following cohort. 61.3% of the patients were admitted at the surgery department. 25% of the patients had a personal history of digestive pathology. Among the reasons for ordering PN to the NU, surgical complications were the most common (66.7%). Oncologic abdominal surgery was the most common category (39.3%) out of the six in which the patients have been categorized. The mortality rate for the first cohort was 29% and for the second cohort 12.8% (p < 0,00). The average of stay days for the first cohort was 29.53 days and 27.67 days for the second one (p = 0.41). Conclusions: The implementation of a NU has a positive impact on the clinical course of hospitalized patients submitted to PN (AU)

Glomerular hyperfiltration and albuminuria in critically ill patients.

Glomerular hyperfiltration and albuminuria are two pathological conditions that could alter renal drug elimination, but they have been rarely studied in a critical care setting. The aims of this descriptive, prospective study performed on 89 critically ill patients are to determine rates of glomerular hyperfiltration (main objective) and albuminuria (secondary objective). On admission, 17.9% of patients presented with glomerular hyperfiltration, climbing to rates as high as 30% during the first week of admission. Seventy-five percent showed albuminuria on admission, with rates remaining high throughout the week of the study. Since glomerular hyperfiltration as well as albuminuria are frequent pathophysiological conditions in critical care patients, the implications that these phenomena may have regarding drug elimination need further evaluation.

[Incidences of early- and late-onset ventilator-associated pneumonia in a postanesthesia and critical care unit]. / Incidencia de las neumonías nosocomiales precoces y tardías asociadas a ventilación mecánica en una unidad de reanimación- críticos polivalente.

OBJECTIVES: To ascertain the frequency, risk factors, and causes of early- and late-onset ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in a postanesthesia and critical care unit. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective study was carried out between January 1, 1996 and December 31, 2001 of all ventilated patients staying longer than 48 hours in the critical care unit, with follow-up for 48 hours following discharge from the unit. Descriptive statistics were compiled for episodes of early- and late-onset VAP for a period of up to 4 days after intubation; univariate and multiple variable Cox regression analyses were also carried out. RESULTS: A total of 3614 patients were admitted to the unit (study cohort, 652 patients). The mean length of stay in the unit for the study cohort was 13.64 days. The most frequent diagnosis was multiple trauma (50.46%). The incidence density of VAP was 20.31 cases per 1000 patient-days on mechanical ventilation. The pathogens most often isolated in early-onset VAP cases were Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In late-onset cases, the pathogens were Pseudomonas species. Early-onset VAP was 2.54 and 2.81 times more frequent in comatose and head-injury patients, respectively. Those rates were significantly different in late-onset cases. CONCLUSIONS: Early-onset VAP was more common in comatose and head-injury patients. The risk of developing late-onset versus early-onset VAP was twice as great for postoperative patients.

Incidencia de las neumonías nosocomiales precoces y tardías asociadas a ventilación mecánica en una unidad de reanimacióncríticos polivalente / Incidences of early- and late-onset ventilator-associated pneumonia in a postanesthesia and critical care unit

OBJETIVO: Conocer la frecuencia, factores de riesgo y etiología de neumonía nosocomial (NN) asociada a ventilación mecánica (NAVM) precoz y tardía en Unidad de Críticos polivalente (UR). MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Estudio prospectivo desde 1/01/1996 al 31/12/2001 de todos los pacientes ventilados con ingreso superior a 48 horas, con seguimiento hasta las 48 horas posteriores al alta de la Unidad. Análisis descriptivo, univariante y multivariable con regresión de Cox para los episodios de NAVM precoz y tardía, con un periodo de corte de 4 días postintubación. RESULTADOS: El total de pacientes ingresados fue de 3.614 pacientes (cohorte de estudio: 652 pacientes). La media de la estancia en la UR para la cohorte fue de 13,64 días. El diagnostico más frecuente (50,46%) fue el paciente politraumatizado. La densidad de incidencia de NAVM fue de 20,31 NN por 1.000 pacientes-día de ventilación mecánica. En la neumonía precoz los patógenos más frecuentemente aislados fueron Staphylococcus aureus y Pseudomonas aeruginosa, en los casos de neumonías tardías resalta el género Pseudomonas. La NAVM precoz fue 2,54 y 2,81 veces más frecuente en pacientes en estados comatosos y en enfermos con traumatismo craneoencefálico de forma respectiva, con diferencias estadísticamente significativas con respecto a los pacientes con NAVM tardía. CONCLUSIONES: La NAVM precoz fue más frecuente en pacientes con estados comatosos y con traumatismo craneoencefálico. La presencia de intervención quirúrgica supuso el doble de riesgo de desarrollar una NAVM tardía en relación a las precoces

OBJECTIVES: To ascertain the frequency, risk factors, and causes of early- and late-onset ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in a postanesthesia and critical care unit. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective study was carried out between January 1, 1996 and December 31, 2001 of all ventilated patients staying longer than 48 hours in the critical care unit, with follow-up for 48 hours following discharge from the unit. Descriptive statistics were compiled for episodes of early- and lateonset VAP for a period of up to 4 days after intubation; univariate and multiple variable Cox regression analyses were also carried out. RESULTS: A total of 3614 patients were admitted to the unit (study cohort, 652 patients). The mean length of stay in the unit for the study cohort was 13.64 days. The most frequent diagnosis was multiple trauma (50.46%). The incidence density of VAP was 20.31 cases per 1000 patientdays on mechanical ventilation. The pathogens most often isolated in early-onset VAP cases were Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In late-onset cases, the pathogens were Pseudomonas species. Early-onset VAP was 2.54 and 2.81 times more frequent in comatose and head-injury patients, respectively. Those rates were significantly different in late-onset cases. CONCLUSIONS: Early-onset VAP was more common in comatose and head-injury patients. The risk of developing late-onset versus early-onset VAP was twice as great for postoperative patients

Resultados de un programa de cirugía mayor ambulatoria en oftalmología / Results an outpatient major surgery program in ophthalmology

Objetivo: Evaluar los resultados de un programa de cirugía mayor ambulatoria en pacientes intervenidos quirúrgicamente de diversas patologías oculares en nuestro hospital. Métodos: Este estudio retrospectivo incluye 13.878 pacientes intervenidos de forma programada por el Servicio de Oftalmología desde septiembre de 1998 a diciembre de 2004. En 11.187 pacientes se realizaron diferentes procedimientos quirúrgicos de forma ambulatoria, siendo la cirugía de catarata (facoemulsificación) la operación mayoritaria (8.155 casos). Se han analizado diversos índices (sustitución, suspensión, ingresos, reingresos), así como el rendimiento quirúrgico y las complicaciones sistémicas y oculares que surgieron dentro de las primeras 72 horas tras la cirugía. La medición de las variables se realizó mediante frecuencias relativas. El análisis utilizado para la evolución de las complicaciones en el período de estudio fue la Chi cuadrado de tendencias. Resultados: 13.878 pacientes fueron intervenidos en el período indicado, de los que 11.187 se operaron de forma ambulatoria (índice de sustitución global del 80,6%). El rendimiento quirúrgico medio fue 74,36%. El índice de ingresos tras la cirugía fue 4,46% (499 pacientes), siendo ingresos inmediatos en el 92,18% de los casos (460). 21 pacientes sufrieron complicaciones graves (cardiovasculares, neurológicas, metabólicas, infecciosas), representando un riesgo proporcional de 1:532. En 45 pacientes aparecieron complicaciones de menor gravedad (hipertensión arterial, nauseas, vómitos, síncope vasovagal) que requirieron su ingreso hospitalario. Las complicaciones oftalmológicas ocurrieron en 79 casos (0,56%). Conclusiones: La cirugía mayor ambulatoria (CMA) es un excelente modelo organizativo de asistencia quirúrgica multidisciplinar que permite tratar pacientes bien seleccionados de una manera efectiva, segura y eficiente. A pesar del cumplimiento de los requisitos óptimos, existe un porcentaje pequeño de complicaciones postoperatorias de gravedad variable, aunque afortunadamente la mortalidad es prácticamente nula

Purpose: To evaluate the outcomes in our hospital of an ambulatory major surgery program in patients with a variety of different ocular pathologies. Method: This retrospective study includes 13,878 patients who underwent programmed surgery by the Department of Ophthalmology between September 1998 and December 2004. Different ophthalmological surgical procedures were performed as outpatient surgery in 11,187 patients, with cataract surgery (phacoemulsification) being the most frequent operation performed (8,155 cases). We have analysed several indicators (substitution, suspension, admission and readmission rates), as well as surgical yield and systemic and ocular complications which appeared within 72 hours after surgery. The variables were measured as relative frequencies. The evolution of complications during the study period was analysed by the Chi-square trend test. Results: 13,878 patients had ophthalmic surgery during the study period; 11,187 had outpatient surgery with a global substitution ratio of 80.6%. The median surgical yield was 74.36%. The admission rate after surgery was 4.46% (499 patients), with 92.18% (460) of these requiring immediate admission. Twenty-one patients suffered from severe complications (cardiovascular, neurological, metabolic, infectious), representing a proportional risk of 1:532. Forty-five patients had less severe complications (arterial hypertension, nausea, vomiting, vasovagal syncope) that required admission to hospital. Ophthalmologic complications occurred in 79 cases (0.56%). Conclusions: Ambulatory major surgery (AMS) is an excellent organization model of multidisciplinary surgical assistance that makes it possible to treat well selected patients in an effective, safe and efficient manner. There is a low incidence of postoperative complications of variable severity despite following the optimum requisites, although fortunately mortality is practically absent

[Results of an outpatient major surgery program in ophthalmology]. / Resultados de un programa de cirugía mayor ambulatoria en oftalmología.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the outcomes in our hospital of an ambulatory major surgery program in patients with a variety of different ocular pathologies. METHOD: This retrospective study includes 13,878 patients who underwent programmed surgery by the Department of Ophthalmology between September 1998 and December 2004. Different ophthalmological surgical procedures were performed as outpatient surgery in 11,187 patients, with cataract surgery (phacoemulsification) being the most frequent operation performed (8,155 cases). We have analysed several indicators (substitution, suspension, admission and readmission rates), as well as surgical yield and systemic and ocular complications which appeared within 72 hours after surgery. The variables were measured as relative frequencies. The evolution of complications during the study period was analysed by the Chi-square trend test. RESULTS: 13,878 patients had ophthalmic surgery during the study period; 11,187 had outpatient surgery with a global substitution ratio of 80.6%. The median surgical yield was 74.36%. The admission rate after surgery was 4.46% (499 patients), with 92.18% (460) of these requiring immediate admission. Twenty-one patients suffered from severe complications (cardiovascular, neurological, metabolic, infectious), representing a proportional risk of 1:532. Forty-five patients had less severe complications (arterial hypertension, nausea, vomiting, vasovagal syncope) that required admission to hospital. Ophthalmologic complications occurred in 79 cases (0.56%). CONCLUSIONS: Ambulatory major surgery (AMS) is an excellent organization model of multidisciplinary surgical assistance that makes it possible to treat well selected patients in an effective, safe and efficient manner. There is a low incidence of postoperative complications of variable severity despite following the optimum requisites, although fortunately mortality is practically absent.

Evolution of closed urinary drainage systems use and associated factors in Spanish hospitals.

Although closed urinary drainage systems (CUDS) reduce the risk of catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI), open systems are still used in Spain. The object of this work was to describe the progress of CUDS use and factors associated with the drainage system type used in Spanish hospitals. The databases of the EPINE study (Study of Prevalence of Nosocomial Infections in Spain) from 1990 to 2000 were used. The EPINE study includes hospitalized patients of all ages in acute-care Spanish hospitals. Seventy-six thousand, seven hundred and eighty-eight catheterized patients were studied, and the whole database was used for the trend analysis of global hospital-acquired infection (HAI). The patient and the hospital were the two units of observation used in the analysis. Full implementation was defined as 90% CUDS use. A logistic regression model was applied to study factors influencing the use of CUDS and to determine prevalence trend. An odds ratio (OR) >1 indicates an incremental trend. The Pearson correlation coefficient between annual percentage of CUDS use and CAUTI prevalence was calculated. Variables for the year 2000 were compared using the Mann-Whitney U test between hospitals with and without full implementation. The prevalence of urinary catheterized patients in Spain increased from 12.4% in 1990 to 15.2% in 2000 (OR 1.019, 95% CI 1.016-1.021). The proportion of CUDS used increased from 50.6% in 1990 to 70% in 2000 (OR 1.1, 95% CI 1.095-1.104) and correlated with a significant decrease of UTIs (r = 0.65, P = 0.03). In 1990, 28.5% of hospitals had full implementation of CUDS and by 2000 this had risen to 40.3% (OR 1.093, 95% CI 1.06-1.127). Patients in medium (200-500 beds) and large (>500 beds) hospitals, as well as those with three of more diagnoses and two or more intrinsic risk factors had an increased probability of having a CUDS, whereas being hospitalized in areas other than intensive care, being male and less than 65 years old were associated with a lower probability of CUDS use. The median prevalence of catheterized patients in hospitals with full implementation, was significantly lower than in those without it (P = 0.049). Although CUDS use is increasing, there is still much work required to reach full implementation. Keeping CUDS for more severely ill patients may reflect a higher concern over the consequences of UTI in these patients. Nevertheless, it is necessary to change a practice that exposes patients to a known UTI risk factor and reach a consensus on indications for catheter insertion.

Cuestionarios de disfunción espinal: una revisión crítica dirigida al clínico / Questionnaires of spinal dysfunction: a critical review addressed to the clinician

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Estudio prospectivo de la frecuencia de infección nosocomial y factores de riesgo en un servicio de cirugía general / Prospective study of the frequency of nosocomial infection and its risk factors in a general surgery department

Objetivo. Cuantificar la frecuencia de infección nosocomial (IN) en un servicio de cirugía general e identificar los factores de riesgo asociados. Pacientes y método. Se realizó un estudio prospectivo, longitudinal, descriptivo y analítico, entre enero de 1995 y diciembre de 1998, de una cohorte de 2.794 pacientes que fueron intervenidos quirúrgicamente, con una estancia postoperatoria superior a las 48 h. Resultados. La IN más frecuente fue la infección quirúrgica (IQ), con una tasa de incidencia acumulada (IA) global del 7,7 por ciento, oscilando entre el 3,4 por ciento para la cirugía limpia y el 23,7 por ciento para la cirugía sucia. Le siguen, en orden de frecuencia, la infección del tracto urinario (ITU) y la bacteriemia (B), con el 1,5 por ciento, y la neumonía nosocomial (NN) con el 0,5 por ciento. Una puntuación de la American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) superior a 2 multiplica por 1,76 el riesgo de IQ, por 2,13 el riesgo de ITU, por 5,93 el riesgo de NN y por 4,72 el riesgo de B. La probabilidad de detectar una IQ según la estancia posquirúrgica oscila entre el 0,4 en los pacientes con una estancia de 3-4 días hasta el 0,93 en los pacientes con una estancia de 10-12 días. Conclusiones. La IN más frecuente fue la IQ. Una puntuación ASA superior a 2, la estancia prequirúrgica, el número de días con sonda urinaria, con catéter venoso central, con ventilación mecánica, así como el mejor uso de profilaxis antibiótica son factores que influyeron en la frecuencia de infección nosocomial. La frecuencia de IN ha disminuido a lo largo de los años del estudio; sin embargo, el acortamiento de la estancia posquirúrgica enmascara el verdadero valor de este descenso (AU)

Nosocomial infection and related risk factors in a general surgery service: a prospective study.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to quantify the frequency of nosocomial infection in the general surgery service of a tertiary-care hospital and to identify associated risk factors. METHODS: A prospective, longitudinal, descriptive and analytical study was made from January 1995 to December 1998 of a clinical cohort of 2794 patients who underwent a surgical procedure with a post-surgery stay of more than 48 h. The criteria for infection were those defined by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the USA. RESULTS: The most frequent nosocomial infection was surgical infection (SI), with a global cumulative incidence (CI) of 7.7%, ranging from 3.4% for clean surgery to 23.7% for dirty surgery. The next most frequent were urinary tract infection (UTI) and bacteremia (1.5%) and nosocomial pneumonia (NP) (0.5%). The global CI of SI decreased from 11.7% in 1995 to 4% in 1998. An ASA classification higher than 2 multiplied the risk of SI by 1.76; with respect to UTI multiplied the risk by 2.13; the risk of NP by 5.93 and multiplied the risk of B by 4.72. CONCLUSIONS: The most frequent nosocomial infection was surgical infection. An ASA higher than 2, the stay prior to surgery; the number of days with a urinary catheter, with a central venous catheter and with mechanical ventilation; as well as the improvement in the use of antimicrobial prophylaxis, were all factors that influenced the frequency of nosocomial infection.

Evaluación de un programa de reducción de las listas de espera quirúrgicas basado en la derivación de pacientes / Evaluation of a program to reduce surgical waiting-lists according to change in the surgical center

Objetivos: Identificar las variables relacionadas con la aceptación a ser derivado a otro hospital dentro de un programa de reducción de la lista de espera quirúrgica en el Hospital General (HG).Métodos: El estudio se llevó a cabo durante el primer semestre del año 1997 en la provincia de Albacete, que cuenta con dos hospitales públicos, el Complejo Hospitalario de Albacete (CHA) y el Hospital Comarcal (HC) de Hellín situado a 60 Km de Albacete capital. En el programa se planteaba la derivación voluntaria al HC de Hellín de todos los pacientes con más de tres meses de espera para ser intervenidos de herniorrafia, colecistectomía, tiroidectomía y cataratas, ofertándoles ser intervenidos en los diez días siguientes. En este estudio descriptivo se analiza: la frecuencia de aceptación según sexo, distancia en Kms. desde lugar de residencia, residencia en Albacete, tiempo de permanencia en la lista de espera, y el procedimiento quirúrgico, del total de los pacientes incluidos en el programa. Se utiliza el test de la 2 y el de la T-Student en el análisis univariante y el análisis de regresión logística múltiple (ARL) en el multivariante, considerando la aceptación o no como variable dependiente, y transformando la variable procedimiento quirúrgico en una dummy variable. Con los coeficientes ajustados de las variables seleccionadas calculamos el Riesgo Relativo y su intervalo de confianza al 95 por ciento. Resultados: Trescientos treinta y siete usuarios son contactados, 152 (45 por ciento) aceptan ser intervenidos en el HC. Se aprecian diferencias estadísticamente significativas en la frecuencia de aceptación al cambio según la distancia en Kms., la residencia en Albacete y el procedimiento quirúrgico. Cuando ajustamos estas variables con el ARL, sólo el ser residente en Albacete y el ser intervenido de cataratas presentan desviaciones estándar estadísticamente significativas. Conclusiones: El programa consigue reducir la lista de espera en un 45 por ciento. Los residentes en Albacete son los más reticentes a ser derivados al otro hospital variando el grado de aceptación en función del procedimiento quirúrgico de que se trate. Otras estrategias, como que el médico del paciente sea el que plantee la derivación, habrían de ser valoradas si se quiere aumentar la adhesión al programa (AU)

Risk factors for surgical-wound infection in general surgery: a prospective study.

OBJECTIVE: To quantify surgical-infection rate, to assess adherence with the antibiotic prophylaxis protocol, and to identify independent factors associated with surgical-wound infection (SWI). METHODS: We carried out a prospective study of a cohort of 2,237 general surgery patients with postsurgery stays of more than 48 hours. Odds ratios (OR) were estimated using unconditional multiple logistic regression. SETTING: A 1,300-bed, university-affiliated, tertiary-care hospital in Madrid, Spain. RESULTS: 254 patients developed SWI. The rate of adherence to the antibiotic prophylaxis protocol was 63.5%. Eight factors were independently associated with risk of SWI: age (OR = 1.2 for every 10 years of age); wound classification (clean-contaminated, OR = 6.4; contaminated, OR = 3.7; dirty or infected, OR = 9.3); antimicrobial prophylaxis (OR = 0.5); stay prior to surgery (OR = 1.1 for every 3 days); duration of operation (OR = 1.5 for every 60 minutes); malignant neoplasm (OR = 1.7); emergency procedure (OR = 1.99); intensive-care unit stay prior to surgery (OR = 2.6); and antimicrobial prophylaxis administered 2 or more hours before operation (OR = 5.3). CONCLUSION: In general, antimicrobial prophylaxis protects against SWI (OR = 0.5); however, administration 2 hours or more before the operation increases the risk of SWI by a factor of 5.3. Therefore, measures should be taken to ensure the correct timing of antimicrobial prophylaxis.

[Surgical wound infection: the risk factors and a predictive model]. / Infección de la herida quirúrgica: factores de riesgo y modelo predictivo.

BACKGROUND: The identification of the factors associated with infection of the surgical wound and the groups of patients with greatest risk of developing the same may aid in the elaboration of prevention strategies. METHODS: A prospective follow up study of a group of 1,143 patients admitted to general and digestive surgical departments in the Ramón y Cajal Hospital over a period of 7 months was carried out to determine the accumulated incidence of infection of the surgical wound and quantify the associated risk factors. A mathematical model was developed by logistic multiple regression analysis allowing the identification of groups of patients with high risk of infection which were internally evaluated posteriorly. RESULTS: Surgically intervened patients (70% of those admitted) developed a mean of 11 wound infections out of 100 patients. Five independent factors (age, surgical classification, length of intervention, presurgical stay, and presence of a central route) were associated to increased risk of infection. CONCLUSIONS: The factors associated with surgical wound infection identified in this study are related to the degree of wound contamination, the intrinsic risk of the patients and quality of health care. The model obtained is more efficient than the traditional surgical classification for the identification of groups of patients with high risk of infection.

[Incidence of cancer in Spain]. / Incidencia del cáncer en España.

An estimate is made of the number of cancer cases in Spain, broken down according to the part of the body in which the tumors are found and by Regions of the country, using the case number/death rate ratio by tumor location, sex and age group obtained from the Cancer Registry for the Population of Navarra for the 1980-1984 period and the pertinent specific death rates recorded throughout the different Regions of Spain in 1985. Using this method, a yearly number of 120,858 cases of cancer (71,436 men and 49,422 women) is obtained. According to the location of the tumors, the most important ones, with a gross rate of cases per 100,000 inhabitants for men are: lung (63.37), prostate (38.8), bladder (34.9) and stomach (31.4); for women: breast (51.92), body and unspecified part of uterus (21.14), colon (19.73), stomach (19.27) and cervix (19.17). By Regions of Spain, the highest rates are those of Asturias (355.04) and Cantabria (348.43), the lowest being those of Madrid (203.06) and the Canary Islands (217.82). This data can be useful in planning resources for the control and prevention of cancer in Spain.