Faculty Collaboration Database

Characteristics of infections in patients undergoing staged implantation for sacral nerve stimulation. Urology 2007 Jun;69(6):1073-6

Date

06/19/2007

Pubmed ID

17572189

DOI

10.1016/j.urology.2007.01.099

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-34249987672 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   47 Citations

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To review clinical and surgical factors in patients who have undergone staged sacral nerve stimulator implantation and to determine whether there are any identifiable risk factors for infection.

METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed on 76 consecutive patients undergoing staged implantation for sacral nerve stimulation for voiding dysfunction. Patients with postprocedural wound infections (after Stage 1 or Stage 2) were compared with those without infections with regard to demographic factors and surgical characteristics, such as operative time and duration of exposed lead wire. Organisms cultured were also documented.

RESULTS: Lead infection occurred in 9 of 76 patients (12%). All cultures grew Staphylococcus aureus. Of 9 patients with lead infection, 6 had organisms sensitive to their perioperative antibiotic. Forty-five patients had an implantable pulse generator implanted, and 5 infections occurred (11%). Four cultures grew S. aureus (all sensitive to the perioperative antibiotic given), whereas one grew Pseudomonas. The only significant difference in clinical/surgical characteristics between infected and noninfected patients was a longer operative time for Stage 2 in infected patients. In addition, 3 patients with infection had one or more known risk factors for wound infection (steroid use, severe psoriasis, recurrent skin abscess).

CONCLUSIONS: Apart from known risk factors for surgical wound infections, the only variable we could identify that might increase the risk for infection is a longer operative time for Stage 2. S. aureus was the organism most commonly cultured. Often it was sensitive to the perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis.

Author List

Guralnick ML, Benouni S, O'Connor RC, Edmiston C

Authors

Michael Guralnick MD Professor in the Urologic Surgery department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Robert Corey O'Connor MD Professor in the Urologic Surgery department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Electric Stimulation Therapy
Electrodes, Implanted
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Postoperative Complications
Prosthesis Implantation
Retrospective Studies
Risk Factors
Sacrum
Surgical Wound Infection
Treatment Outcome
Urination Disorders