Authors:
Publish Date: 1992/08/01
Volume: 6, Issue: 8, Pages: 403-405
Abstract
The relevance of the microbiological flora of the upper alimentary tract to postoperative infection in major oesophageal surgery European Journal of CardioThoracic Surgery Volume 6 Issue 8 August 1992 Pages 403–405 https//doiorg/101016/1010794092900634A prospective study to investigate the source of pathogenic organismsresponsible for infective complications of patients undergoing majoroesophageal surgery was undertaken in 138 consecutive patients 38 femaleand 100 male with obstructive lesions of the oesophagus aged 24 to 86years mean 67 years In all patients the upper alimentary tract UATwas opened as part of the surgical procedure and 203 had pathogenspresent in their sputum before surgery On direct culture of the contentsof stomach or oesophagus at operation 61 showed pathogenic organismsTwentyfive patients suffered from 28 infections predominantlypleuropulmonary infection n = 19 but also wound sepsis n = 8 andgeneralised infection n = 1 Pathogenic organisms could not be culturedfrom the tracheobronchial tree immediately postoperatively There was nocorrelation between preoperative sputum microbiology and postoperativeinfection There was however a definite correlation 66 of casesbetween pathogens of UAT content collected at operation and thoseresponsible for postoperative infection We conclude that it is relevantand important to regularly obtain samples of UAT content at operation toplan antibiotic regimes
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