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Acta Neurochirurgica

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01-03-2013 | Clinical Article - Pediatrics

Significant reduction of shunt infection rate in children below 1 year of age after implementation of a perioperative protocol

Authors: Jorunn Hommelstad, Anita Madsø, Per Kristian Eide

Published in: Acta Neurochirurgica | Issue 3/2013

Abstract

Background

Shunt infection markedly impairs the clinical result of shunt surgery. The infection rate can be reduced by dedicated protocols. This study was undertaken to determine the efficacy of introducing a perioperative protocol for control of shunt infections.

Method

The shunt infection rate and risk factors for shunt infection were determined for two periods, namely the period 2001–2002 (Patient Material A), and the period 2005–2008 (Patient Material B). The perioperative protocol was introduced in 2005 before the second period.

Results

The total patient material includes 901 patients, in whom 1,404 shunt procedures were performed during the study periods. While the overall infection rate dropped nonsignificantly from 6.5 % to 4.3 %, infection rate dropped markedly and significantly from 18.4 % to 5.7 % among the children younger than 1 year (p = 0.016). The significant risk factors for shunt infection were in Patient Material A age below 1 year (p < .001), and in Patient Material B premature birth (p = 0.045), postoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage (p < .001) and high American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) score (p = 0.039). Of the protocol steps, only the lack of preoperative wash with 4 % clorhexidine gluconate (Hibiscrub®) showed a tendency of influencing the shunt infection rate (p = 0.051).

Conclusions

This study showed that implementation of a perioperative protocol markedly and significantly reduced shunt infection rate in children younger than 1 year, even though no significant overall reduction in shunt infection rate was found.

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Title: Significant reduction of shunt infection rate in children below 1 year of age after implementation of a perioperative protocol
Authors: Jorunn Hommelstad
Anita Madsø
Per Kristian Eide
Publication date: 01-03-2013
Publisher: Springer Vienna
Published in: Acta Neurochirurgica / Issue 3/2013
Print ISSN: 0001-6268
Electronic ISSN: 0942-0940
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00701-012-1574-z

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Significant reduction of shunt infection rate in children below 1 year of age after implementation of a perioperative protocol

Abstract

Background

Method

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Method

Results

Conclusions

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