Thomas Jefferson University Hospital surgeons found that a surgical care checklist of 12 measures reduced Whipple procedure wound infections by nearly 50 percent.
Wound infection rates for Whipple procedures — an operation to treat benign and malignant diseases of the pancreas — are historically higher and more common than in other procedures.
Researchers developed a surgical care checklist for Whipple procedures, which includes smoking cessation at least two weeks prior to surgery; gown and glove change prior to skin closure; and using clippers over razors to shave the surgical area.
In a retrospective study, university researchers analyzed clinical data from 233 patients who underwent Whipple procedures from Oct. 2005-May 2008 with routine preoperative preparation, which is less comprehensive than the 12-item surgical care checklist. For instance, it uses a razor for hair removal and iodine skin preparation and does not include smoking cessation.
That data was compared with infection rates among 233 patients who underwent Whipple procedures from May 2008-May 2010 with the surgical care checklist. The researchers found a 49 percent reduction in wound infections in the surgical care bundle group compared to the routine preoperative preparation group.
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Wound infection rates for Whipple procedures — an operation to treat benign and malignant diseases of the pancreas — are historically higher and more common than in other procedures.
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Researchers developed a surgical care checklist for Whipple procedures, which includes smoking cessation at least two weeks prior to surgery; gown and glove change prior to skin closure; and using clippers over razors to shave the surgical area.
In a retrospective study, university researchers analyzed clinical data from 233 patients who underwent Whipple procedures from Oct. 2005-May 2008 with routine preoperative preparation, which is less comprehensive than the 12-item surgical care checklist. For instance, it uses a razor for hair removal and iodine skin preparation and does not include smoking cessation.
That data was compared with infection rates among 233 patients who underwent Whipple procedures from May 2008-May 2010 with the surgical care checklist. The researchers found a 49 percent reduction in wound infections in the surgical care bundle group compared to the routine preoperative preparation group.
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