The Medical Community: some answer the specific questions, some provide emotional support, some comment on other issues
Apparently, only in Ontario is it not the standard to administer antibiotic prophylaxis for open abdominal surgery to remove a tumor and perform a colon resection. Take a good look at all the surgeons below who have a conflicting assessment to that of the CPSO? Now seriously, as Ontario's Health Minister, should you not question this in order to maintain the standards and protect Ontario citizens? Of course, you should!
“Should a patient undergoing colon resection via open abdominal surgery be given anti-biotic prophylaxis prior to commencing the operation?”
1. Yes Kumar (B. Sivakumar MD)
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2. Dear Mr. Kilby,
I am very sorry for your daughter.
Just one question, how did you get my contact?
By the way you are telling things happened it seems to me that bowel cleansing is not mandatory although antibiotics are!
Call me if you need any help. Best Dr Schraibman MD
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3. In general, bowel prep or bowel cleansing is somewhat controversial and is not absolutely considered standard-of-care and is clearly not related to bleeding. Now not giving antibiotic prophylaxis is a bit different - I think it is standard to receive antibiotics for a planned colon resection, at least in an adult. Still that would relate to a higher infection rate and is not related to bleeding. Bleeding happens during and after surgery. I hope this helped but I really do not know anything about the details. I have a daughter myself and I hope things worked out.
Douglas Iddings MD
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4. Antibiotic prophylaxis is important and can reduce postoperative infection. Bowel cleansing has not been shown to have a positive or negative effect on outcome.
Dale D Burleson, MD
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5. Mr. Kilby,
First, I am very sorry for your loss.
To answer your questions in general. Bowel cleansing is a matter of surgeon's preference prior to colon resection. There is evidence to show that the outcomes are not significantly different with or without a bowel preparation for colon surgery. Antibiotics are recommended for colon surgery just prior to the start
of the operation but should be stopped within 24 hours unless there
are clinical indications to continue beyond the 24 hour period.
These are the guidelines in the US and the goal of perioperative
antibiotics is to prevent wound infections from surgery.
Sincerely, Daniel H. Hunt MD
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6. If the situation played out as you said above, then I would have given her
anti-biotic prophylaxis. I would like to know the diagnosis before the operation
to be able to say if I would have had your daughter have bowel clean sing.
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7. Dear Sir/Madam
I am sorry to hear about your daughter's outcome. To answer your question, the
colon bowel prep has been in debate for few years. Some surgeons do not feel it is
necessary while others still use it. The antibiotic prophylaxis is
used to prevent infection during and after
surgery. As I am aware, both practices may not increase or decrease the
incidence of postoperative bleeding
I hope this will answer your question and help you deal with the event. Please feel
free to ask more questions. I hope that your daughter is recovering well.
Sincerely; Niazy M. Selim, MD, PhD, FACS
Associate Professor of Gastrointestinal/Laparoscopic,
Endoscopic and Robotic Surgery
Medical Director of Bariatric Program. Department of Surgery
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8. I am sorry for your loss Usually antibiotic are given iv
prior to colon surgery
I hope you will find peace in your future
Amelia Grover, MD
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9. YES Willie Melvin MD
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10. The antibiotic bowel prep the day before surgery has become controversial, but the antibiotic dose within one hour of surgery that can be continued for up to 24hrs after surgery is standard of care.
Your Welcome, Dr. DeNoto MD
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11. yes, one dose at the beginning of operation Victor Tomulescu MD
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12. Yes, that would be the standard of care.
Helen Chan MD
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13. Antibiotic prophylactic cover is essential to colonic resection while bowel prep is controversial Michael LI K.W. MD
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14. Without knowing the details, I believe that most surgeons would perform some type of bowel prep and give preoperative antibiotics for elective colon surgery. Elective colon surgery without a bowel prep has been reported.
Michael H. Wood, MD, FACS
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15. Both are standard practice for whoever undergoing elective colorectal surgery unless your daughter received an emergency surgery without time for formal bowel preparation. Once again the colonic surgery is a clean contaminated operation, routine antibiotics prophylaxis should have been given
Thanks
C N TANG Dr, HKEC CSD(Accreditation & Standard) / PYNSUR Cons
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16. Hi Mr. Kirby,
First of all, I am sorry for your tragic loss. The use of antibiotics in colon rectal surgery is currently a very hotly debated topic. While most surgeons agree that IV antibiotics should be routinely used at the time of surgery, there is a widely emerging body of data that has brought the use of preoperative bowel preparation and oral antibiotics under question. Currently the evidence is supporting the use of no oral antibiotic or mechanical bowel preparation.
Gregory Gallina MD
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17. I am sorry to hear about your daughter. I hope she came through this OK. I do not have the details of the case, and clearly this opinion is not based on the details of this case. The importance of bowel prep is currently being debated. In general IV prophylactic antibiotics given preop is indicated in colon surgery. Despite this, I doubt that the absence of bowel prep or antibiotics contributed to the bleeding episode. I hope this is helpful.
Harold Kennedy MD
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18. Yes I would Michael LI K.W. MD
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19. Hi Mr Kilby-
I am sorry for your loss. Clearly you are describing a difficult situation and it sounds like there are significant legal issues. I will only say that in the US it is considered standard of care to administer IV prophylactic antibiotics within one hour of skin incision for a clean-contaminated surgical case. Colon resection is considered a clean contaminated case. I do not know have any knowledge of the particulars involving your daughters case, nor would it be appropriate for me to be involved so these comments are in no way intended to be related to the case you are describing. I am only making a statement about what you asked with regard to prophylactic antibiotics and colon surgery. Best of luck
Elliot Newman MD
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20. Good Morning,
Yes, antibiotics prophylaxis is in case of open abdominal surgery (colon resection) a routine procedure.
Best Regards Dr.Tvaruzek MD
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21. Yes C N TANG Dr, HKEC CSD(Accreditation & Standard) / PYNSUR Cons
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22. The simple and accepted answer is yes. I am sorry for your loss Charles Anderson MD
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23. I was able to catch Dr. Parra-Davila between cases to see if he could answer your question below. Dr. Parra-Davila said yes to your question below and said it is a US guideline to follow for this procedure. Hope this helps.
Penny Griggs Advanced Minimally Invasive & Bariatric Surgery ConsultantsAdministrative Assistant to Drs. Keith Kim and Eduardo Parra-Davila
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24. Mr. Kilby: The answer is yes. I would recommend an antibiotic that is effective against the common colonic flora. Perhaps for 24-48 hours starting at the time the abdominal incision is made. I wish you good luck with your crusade.
hugo gomez-engler
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25. Mr. Kilby, I I am sorry for your loss and obvious anguish over your daughter’s death. In answer to your question, antibiotics are routinely given prior to colorectal operations, whether open or laparoscopic – but this does not prevent infections from occurring (still occur 10-20% of the time regardless of antibiotic use). There are rare circumstances where they are not advised (allergies, etc.). Best of luck, and thank you for your interest in our program. Hopefully your legal counsel will provide the support you need to get the answers you are seeking.
PW Paul E. Wise, M.D., FACS Assistant Professor of Surgery Director, Vanderbilt Hereditary Colorectal Cancer Registry Vanderbilt University Medical Center
D5248 MCN Nashville, TN 37232-2543 Office: (615) 343-4612 Fax: (615) 343-4615www.vanderbiltcolorectal.com
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26. yes Malcolm Steel MD
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27. I see, well I certainly am very sorry to hear about such a tragedy and nothing could possibly replace her in you heart. I am a cardiac surgeon and thus general surgery is out of my expertise. However all patients having surgery are required to have antibiotic preoperative and if there is a documented infection it is mandatory to treat it with antibiotics. I would retain an attorney and have it investigated and seek damages if your attorney deems it just.
Sincerely Wendel Smith, M.D.
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28. We always used to give a bowel prep including antibiotics, but recent studies suggest a bowel prep is not necessary and results are better without a bowel prep. I doubt she died because she did not receive antibiotics. Something else must have been going on. I cannot understand why the coroner would make that statement without explaining the circumstances to you.
Adrian Greenstein, MD
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29. Mr. Kilby,
I am sorry for your loss. Yes of course a patient should receive antibiotics prior to colon resection.
Sanjeev Sharma MD FACS
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30. Yes Sent from my iPhone
Cohen, Robbin MD
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31. Arnold.
I am sorry hear about your daughter. What a loss. Regarding the antibiotics; I have not done colon surgery for some time but I used to give antibiotics prior.
Go to the American colorectal website and see if they have an official policy.
Matt Slater, MD
Associate Professor
Clinical Director, Adult Cardiac Surgery OHSU Sent from my iPhone
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32. YES todd grehl MD
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33. Just this one... yes
Anthony P Furnary MD
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34. Yes, he should J.S. Smetana Josef MD
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35. Dear Arnold, The answer to your question is YES. Usually a broad spectrum antibiotics administered at the time of induction of anaesthesia.
Kind regards,
David Jayne MD Senior Lecturer in Surgery Leeds
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36. Yes Demeester, Steven MD
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FF. fernando Fleischman M D
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38. Yes, she should have received "preoperative" antibiotics within
One Hour if beginning operation. Whether this would have prevented her death is unclear, but infection rates are known to be significantly reduced with routine antibiotic use. I am sorry to hear about your daughter’s loss.
Luis Castro. MD
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39. Mr Kilby,
I am sorry for your loss. It seems that there's more to it than just the lack of prophylactic antibiotics that was involved. Unfortunately with every procedure, there are potential risks. I don't know the circumstances around the death of your daughter but I can most certainly feel your pain. My condolences
Alex Ky MD,FACS,FASCRS Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery 212-241-3547
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40. Dear Mr. Kilby,
I am sorry for your loss, having children myself of similar age I can only imagine how difficult it has been for you. In answer to your question, bowel preparation and administration of antibiotics for prophylaxis prior to surgery have been a standard of care in surgery for at least 25 years. In my opinion you have every reason to deserve frank answers about what happened to your daughter. Cases involving perioperative death are always reviewed by hospital morbidity/mortality committees, as well.
Regards, Douglas Boyd Professor of Surgery University of California Davis
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41. Yes the colon should be cleaned and antibiotic started prophilactically
Sent from my iPhone HOMAYOON Ganji
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42. Should a patient undergoing colon resection via open abdominal surgery be given anti-biotic prophylaxis prior to commencing the operation?
Definitely yes. Usually the day of surgery, and at least an hour before surgery.
Long, William :LPH Dir. Tra
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43. It is the standard in the United States to give prophylactic antibiotics within one hour of surgery.
Ismael N. Nuno, MD, FACS, FACC, FAHA. Chief, Cardiac Surgery Service LAC+USC Medical Center TEL: (323) 409-8666
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44. Dear Mr. Kilby,
Your anger I share, and your unresolved grief is palpable. I have tangled and lost with a family medical issue in Victoria, which still angers me. That was five years or so ago, and fortunately I have moved on to the point where it is just a bullet point in the list of reasons to keep our own medical system as it now stands. I wish truly that I could be of more help with the resolution of your problem, and also that time will allow you to move on.
Cord Cordell H. Bahn MD
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45. I am very sorry for your loss. It is generally advisable to administer antibiotics just prior to skin incision.
Tara Karamlou MD Sent from my iPhone
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46. Hi - sorry to hear about this sad case....It is tragic and nothing in life is perfect.
God willing and with some luck and fate, we will conquer.
Best to you. Ed Yee MD
PS: pre-operative antibiotics for "clean contaminated" cases are usually recommended...
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47. The standard of care in the US is for patients undergoing any surgery is antibiotics within 1 hr of surgery, and for 24 hrs after surgery. This applies to clean and dirty procedures. Clean procedures referring to procedures where bacteria are not normally involved other than skin bacteria, and dirty procedures where bacteria are normally in-countered such as bowel surgery (colon surgery), gyn surgery, and oral surgery Your daughter should have had pre-op and peri-operative antibiotics. Michael Wood MD
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48. Arnold
I am a retired cardiothoracic surgeon who is board certified in general surgery and thoracic surgery. I can't comment on your daughter's case without the record and autopsy report but there is no doubt she should have been given pre-operative and post operative antibiotics. Was this the cause of her death, that I can't say without more information. I am sorry for your loss.
Mike Perelman MD
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49. Should a patient undergoing colon resection via open abdominal surgery be given anti-biotic prophylaxis prior to commencing the operation?
Yes Diethrich, Edward MD
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50. YES, AND YES, GET A BETTER LAWYER. RRG
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51. Mr. Kilby,
My sincere condolences on the loss of your daughter. You are correct that I am not a general surgeon but I know that it is the accepted procedure to use prophylactic antibiotic coverage for colon surgery in the hospital where I work here in Denver, CO. I believe that is true throughout the US. It is disheartening to hear of the lack of transparency on the part of the medical / governmental establishment in the Canadian health care system. Unfortunately, thanks to our socialist president we in the US are probably headed for a similar fate. It sounds like your daughter died of peri-operative sepsis. Prophylactic antibiotics were indicated but that treatment does not prevent this complication in 100% of cases. In all likelihood it would have reduced the probability of such a tragic outcome. Good luck in your struggle to obtain justice for your daughter.
Stanley Carson, MD
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52. Should a patient undergoing colon resection via open abdominal surgery be given anti-biotic prophylaxis prior to commencing the operation?
Absolutely.
HP MD
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53. Should a patient undergoing colon resection via open abdominal surgery be given anti-biotic prophylaxis prior to commencing the operation? My answer is unequivocally YES
I have no pressures from any organization.
BBRoe Benson Roe
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54. Dear Mr. Kilby,
I am a practicing Cardiovascular and Thoracic surgeon in North Dakota. I have not done a colon resection in over 20 years, although I have maintained my general surgery credentials for purposes of covering trauma cases and teaching medical students. For legal purposes, I would not consider myself an expert witness.
I would suggest that you look up the US Medicare SQIP Protocol (Surgical Quality Improvement Project) to review the current recommendations for antibiotic prophylaxis for colon resections in this country. Generally, it restricts antibiotic prophylaxis to a single pre-op dose, and less than 24 hours of coverage post-op. Antibiotic bowel preps have also fallen out of favor. Antibiotic use beyond 24 hours is only recommended for treatment of infections that are either suspected or known.
I do think it is fair to say that a preoperative antibiotic dose for a colon resection is the standard of care in this country. Whether or not it would have made any difference for your daughter is problematic, absent a proper record review. Even then, it may be difficult to be certain that the omission was causal in her death.
I am sorry for your loss. I help this will eventually help you gain some closure.
Sincerely, A. Michael Booth MD PhD FACS
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55. www.cochrane.org/reviews/en/ab001181.html
I hope you'll find this study helpful. Said Yassin MD
Antibiotics administered to patients prior to colorectal surgery
When people undergo surgical operations of their abdomen they are at risk of infection which will often be cured by an antibiotic. However, it might be better to give this before the operation to prevent the infection (prophylaxis or prophylactic use), rather than wait until an infection occurs before giving it. This review looks at the evidence for giving an antibiotic before surgery takes place.
The review found 260 studies which had recruited over 43 thousand people undergoing abdominal surgery. The studies had some limitations in relation to the number of people who remained in the studies and the possibility that the results were affected because some of the researchers in the studies knew which people had received antibiotics before surgery. However, when the results were analysed effect of prophylactic antibiotics was consistently beneficial meaning that these limitations were unlikely to have had a major impact on the nature of the overall results. Abdominal surgical wound infection in patients having operations on the large intestine occurs in about 40% of patients if antibiotics are not given. This risk can be greatly diminished by the administration of antibiotics prophylactically before surgery. The antibiotic(s) given usuallly needs to cover different types of bacteria some of which need oxygen (aerobic bacteria) and others which do not need oxygen (anaerobic bacteria).. They are usually given via a canula injected into a vein, though there is evidence that a combination of oral and intravenous antibiotics may provide more protection. This last finding raises a problem in that current clinical practice is to avoid mechanical cleansing of the colon because it is not thought to be necessary before surgery (and not popular with patients). Studies that found a benefit to oral antibiotics were done at a time when mechanical cleansing of the colon was routinely done. In the light of current practice regarding mechanical cleansing before surgery of the colon, the benefit of oral antibiotics is uncertain.
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Grantham, Nathan MD
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57. Should a patient undergoing colon resection via open abdominal surgery be given anti-biotic prophylaxis prior to commencing the operation? Yes
John Calhoon MD Professor and Head CT Surg UTHSCSA
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58. AK:
The standard of practice for prevention of wound infection in colon surgery is to use prophylactic antibiotics.
The description of your ordeal following your daughter’s death suggests that a satisfactory closure will only be achieved by thinking outside the box. You are correct in your assessment of the constraints of the legal response to malfeasance. Novelists, magazine writers, television inquiry shows and personally committed politicians are the alternative methods of casting light into sordid corners.
Who asked you to write me?
Bill Murphy MD
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59. Mr Kilby,
I have no idea how the Canadian system works and I have to preface my remarks with the comment that I obviously only have your side of this story. Also, I am a pediatric heart surgeon so your daughter's case is not within my area of expertise.
In the US this would have been settled or tried in court. I would think antibiotic prophylaxis for colorectal surgery is routine and indicated - at least 15 years ago when I last did general surgery. Without seeing the facts I cannot determine if this played an important part in the unfortunate outcome for your daughter.
I have great sympathy for you and the lack of transparency you describe is alarming. If I were in your shoes I would sue.
Max Mitchell MD
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60. Should a patient undergoing colon resection via open abdominal surgery be given anti-biotic prophylaxis prior to commencing the operation?
Hello Arnold, Thank you for contacting Hadassah.
The answer to your question is yes.
Best Regards, Isabelle Stroweis Hadassah External Relations Division
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61. Should a patient undergoing colon resection via open abdominal surgery be given anti-biotic prophylaxis prior to commencing the
operation?
Yes- that is standard. Blackmon, Shanda, M.D.
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62. Yes antibiotic prophylaxis prior to colon surgery is standard
Whether this would have saved your daughter is unclear however.
Brinkman, William T MD
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63. Should a patient undergoing colon resection via open abdominal surgery be given anti-biotic prophylaxis prior to commencing the operation?
Arnold,
I am truly sorry for your loss. I believe pre-op antibiotics should have been given. I have included a link that may be helpful.
Derek Derek von Haag MD
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64. Should a patient undergoing colon resection via open abdominal surgery be given anti-biotic prophylaxis prior to commencing the operation?
Prophylaxis is standard of care to my knowledge
I am very sorry for your loss.
Matt Cooper MD
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65. We still adhere to the fact that patients should have a dose of antibiotics at the time of surgery for most colorectal procedures especially those involving a resection. Some hospitals give up to three doses as prophylaxis, although there is no evidence for this. Karen Nugent
Honorary Secretary
Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain & Ireland
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66. Should a patient undergoing colon resection via open abdominal surgery be given anti-biotic prophylaxis prior to commencing the operation? Likely should have received
antibiotics
Baron Hamman MD
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67. I’m sorry for your loss. I can’t imagine losing either of my boys (6 & 3).
In the United States, it is standard of care to administer appropriate antibiotics within one hour of surgical incision for any case deemed at risk for infection. We get in trouble for any case not administered and documented as such.The US is more into malpractice and I can’t speak to Canadian law. My cousins are lawyers in Duluth and Chicago and would tell you that each case has its own issues and merits. No action will return your daughter to you; that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t pursue this with the national body and perhaps your lawyers.My parents are also retired teachers/pastor and ran Luther Village for a summer in the 60’s. Ontario is one of the most beautiful provinces in the world and I’m sure your daughter was the same. AT Trachte, Aaron Dr.
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68. Mr. Kilby,
I am terribly sorry to hear about you loss. I have two children and can’t imagine the pain.As you said I am a cardiothoracic surgeon so I probably can’t help on the details of your daughter’s case. But the answer to your question on antibiotic prophylaxis is a clear yes. The Surgical Care Improvement Project (SCIP) has established clear guidelines on antibiotic prophylaxis prior to all surgery (timing, type). Here in the US our hospital is literally graded on compliance with the SCIP protocols. As a department chair I am responsible for compliance on my team and have to have appropriate procedures in place to assure compliance. When a patient “falls out” (i.e. one of the SCIP guidelines was not followed), the individual doctor receives a letter from the director of the medical staff.
Here is a link to one article showing that following SCIP guidelines decreases surgical site infections following colorectal surgery.
http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/sesc/tas/2008/00000074/00000010/art00028
Lishan Aklog, MD Chair, The Cardiovascular Center
Chief of Cardiovascular Surgery St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center
500 W. Thomas Rd, Suite 500 Phoenix, AZ 602-406-2996 (Assitant Beth)
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69. Should a patient undergoing colon resection via open abdominal surgery be given anti-biotic prophylaxis prior to commencing the operation?
Yes indeed. That is the standard of care
Dr. MacMillan MD
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70. Dear Mr. Kilby, Please accept my sympathy over the tragic loss of your daughter. Whether the lack of antibiotics before surgery was the essential factor that brought about her demise is still unclear and may always be so. There could have been some other problem during the colon resection which could have led to contamination. This remains unknown. Meanwhile, you are left to cope with your loss and the mental anguish associated. As one who has also lost a young daughter, I believe I can share your grief. I can also affirm that, while not easy, you must do all that you can to go forward with your life, honoring your daughter’s memory.
Yours truly, Denton A. Cooley, MD
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71. I am very sorry for your loss. I am sure the wounds are still very painful 4 years later. The short answer to your question is that, yes, antibiotics should be given prior to colon surgery (and most other surgeries for that matter). The discharge of somebody with abdominal distention who had undergone a wound packing for infection also seems well below acceptable standards here in the US. Usually if abdominal distention arises post op the etiology of that distention needs to be sought prior to discharge. Having said all of that the lawyers for the doctors are correct; medicine is an art (sometimes performed very poorly) not a science.
See the SCIP initiatives available online (Google SCIP initiatives) to better understand when, and what type of antibiotics are recommended prior to colon surgery.
Good luck with your inquiry and again I'm sorry for your loss......................
Moe Lyons, Maurice Lyons,
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72. Should a patient undergoing colon resection via open abdominal surgery be given anti-biotic prophylaxis prior to commencing the operation?
The short answer is “yes”. I’m truly sorry for your loss, sj
Scott B. Johnson, MD Associate Professor
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73. Should a patient undergoing colon resection via open abdominal surgery be given anti-biotic prophylaxis prior to commencing the operation?
The answer is yes. What was the cause of death of your daughter? She was obviously very sick. Was she diabetic? Obviously she had a wound infection but what lead to her death is not clear at all. My advice if you are not getting anywhere is to seek a legal opinion.
John Reza Mehran, MD
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74. Dear Mr Kilby: I have looked over some of the material about your daughter.
I am certified in surgery and thoracic and cardiac surgery. I trained at UCLA (mostly, also U of Minnesota Hospital and Johns Hopkins). I don't currently see patients, but review cases for the Arizona Medical Board.
The big problem is apparently not cleaning the colon with laxatives or enema prior to surgery. Antibiotics don't help and likely are contra indicated. I can find specific references at our medical school.
Feel free to contact me
TW Christiansen MD twc4441@aol.com
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75. Mr Kilby-
I read with great interest your email and I am very sorry for your tremendous loss.
You are right, I am a cardiothoracic surgeon, but I completed a General Surgery Residency as well.
All patients used to receive pre-operative antibiotics prior to any colonic surgery. I would be surprised if this has changed.
Unfortunately, this did not cause her death, but from what it sounds like may have contributed to it.
As I am sure you know, when we have poor outcomes, it typically stems from a series of errors/omissions/etc.
Again, a tragic story, and I hope that you may find some resolution and closure.
Kypson, Alan MD
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76. Should a patient undergoing colon resection via open abdominal surgery be given anti-biotic prophylaxis prior to commencing the operation?
Arnold
I am a retired cardiothoracic surgeon who is board certified in general surgery and thoracic surgery. I can't comment on your daughter's case without the record and autopsy report but there is no doubt she should have been given pre-operative and post operative antibiotics. Was this the cause of her death, that I can't say without more information. I am sorry for your loss.
Mike Perelman MD
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77. Should a patient undergoing colon resection via open abdominal surgery be given anti-biotic prophylaxis prior to commencing the operation
Mr. Kilby,
My condolences to you and your family on the untimely death of your daughter.
It is standard of care in the United States that all patients undergoing bowel surgery should receive pre-operative prophylactic antibiotics at least 20 min before the incision is made. As a cardiothoracic surgeon, I do a fair amount of esophageal surgery. The same rule applies in regards to this issue.
Sincerely,
MPC Michael P. Collins, MD, FACS Chief, Division of General Thoracic Surgery
Intermountain Medical Center and LDS Hospital
Clinical Professor of Surgery
Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery
University of Utah School of Medicine
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78. Mr. Kirby: My opinion to antibiotic prophylaxis is generally yes for patients undergoing open colon resection. How this relates to your daughters care remains unknown unless the entire case can be scrutinized. My sympathies for your loss.
Steven J. Phillips, MD
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79. Should a patient undergoing colon resection via open abdominal surgery be given anti-biotic prophylaxis prior to commencing the operation?
yes Mark S. Allen MD
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80. Optimal bowel preparation for colon surgery includes mechanical cleansing of the colon the evening prior to surgery and an intravenous dose of broad spectrum antibiotics immediately prior to beginning the operation. This dose is usually given in pre-operative holding or by the anesthesiologist during the skin preparation and draping.
Sorry for your sorrow. Robert L Replogle. MD.
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81. Should a patient undergoing colon resection via open abdominal surgery be given anti-biotic prophylaxis prior to commencing the operation?
Yes. Within 30 min of
incision. Jbz Zwischenberger, Jay MD
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82. Should a patient undergoing colon resection via open abdominal surgery be given anti-biotic prophylaxis prior to commencing the operation?
The answer to your question is "yes". I am so sorry to hear of your heart break!
Hendrick Barner MD
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83. Should a patient undergoing colon resection via open abdominal surgery be given anti-biotic prophylaxis prior to commencing the operation?
yes Walter G Wolfe MD
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84. Should a patient undergoing colon resection via open abdominal surgery be given anti-biotic prophylaxis prior to commencing the operation?
Yes – SOC Miller, Daniel Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
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85. It is standard that all pts receive perioperataive antibiotics with a goal of administering them within 30 minutes prior to skin incision. It is a well validated quality outcome parameter.
John V. Conte, M.D. Professor of Surgery Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
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86. Should a patient undergoing colon resection via open abdominal surgery be given anti-biotic prophylaxis prior to commencing the operation?
Dear Sir
The answer to your first question is yes. Marcelo Cardarelli, MD
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87. Dear Mr. Arnold, I am very sorry for your loss, however, as you pointed out in your message, I am not the right person to review your daughter’s case. While your frustration with the system and the responses you have gotten to your questions is very clear, I find it difficult to believe that the Canadian medical system is engaged in a conspiracy of some sort involving British surgeons and everyone involved in the case. I think you are giving them far too much credit with regard to organization and cohesive intent. In my opinion, your frustrations are more likely the result of the disorganization and delays that are typical of large medical administrative units. Again, I am sorry for your loss and I hope you find the answers you are looking for.
Sincerely, Paul Kirshbom, MD Emory University School of Medicine
Dear Mr. Kilby, The short answer to your question is that, yes, antibiotics should be given prior to colon surgery (and most other surgeries for that matter). The discharge of somebody with abdominal distention who had undergone a wound packing for infection also seems well below acceptable standards here in the US. Usually if abdominal distention arises post op the etiology of that distention needs to be sought prior to discharge. In this business, patients sometimes die (and as a pediatric cardiac surgeon, when that happens, it is truly devastating for all involved). It is unavoidable sometimes, but the one thing that can be avoided is lack of communication and clarity with the family. I think that if you had received that from the beginning, you likely could have moved past this painful time in your life. I honestly hope that you get the information you seek and that you can move on. The loss of your daughter was certainly a tragedy, regardless of the circumstances. The greater tragedy would be to allow that event to rule the remainder of your own life.
I wish you the best of luck. Paul Kirshbom, MD
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88. Should a patient undergoing colon resection via open abdominal surgery be given anti-biotic prophylaxis prior to commencing the operation?
In answer to your question, she should have received prophylactic antibiotics and a bowel prep prior to surgery. Ron Hill, MD, FACS ***********************************************************************
89. Should a patient undergoing colon resection via open abdominal surgery be given anti-biotic prophylaxis prior to commencing the operation?
Absolutely yes, it is malpractice not to!
Sorry about your loss. Regards, Luca Vricella Luca A. Vricella, MD, FACS
Associate Professor of Surgery and Pediatrics Johns Hopkins University
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90. I assume this was an elective (i.e. not an emergency) colon resection.
In the United States, the practice is to perform at least a mechanical bowel prep before an elective colon resection and in all circumstances perioperative antibiotics are given, usually prior to the incision. The duration of antibiotic administration depends somewhat on what is found at operation, but in most circumstances they are stopped not later than 48 hours post-op. I hope this is helpful and am sorry for your terrible loss.
Lynn H. Harrison, Jr., MD Clinical Director
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91. Should a patient undergoing colon resection via open abdominal surgery be given anti-biotic prophylaxis prior to commencing the operation?
Yes Peter M. Scholz, MD & James W. Mackenzie Professor of Surgery
Associate Dean for Clinical and Translational Research
Department of Surgery
UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
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92. Should a patient undergoing colon resection via open abdominal surgery be given anti-biotic prophylaxis prior to commencing the operation?
Yes Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
Joshua Sonett MD
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93. It sounds like your daughter did not receive the appropriate standard of care. Patients undergoing colon resection (if not an emergency), should receive colonic cleansing pre-op. Additionally, all patients undergoing surgery should receive pre-operative antibiotics. It does not seem that her nutritional supplementation was adequate. Finally, it seems that she was discharged while still infected.
Allan Stewart MD
I'm sorry to hear about the death of your daughter. A parent should never lose a child.
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94. Mr. Arnold Kilby: I feel sorry for your daughter outcome. Most of your observations and questions make sense. The legal system should be able to address them. I do not believe that anyone outside Canada can be of any help.
Sincerely R. Neirotti Rodolfo A. Neirotti, M.D., Ph.D., FETCS
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95. I can only say by the description here that there must have been some kind of contamination either during or after surgery most likely coming from the bowel itself based on the gram negatives you describe.
Good luck with your search for answers, I hope you get them. God Bless. Cristy Smith MD
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96. Dear Mr. Kilby,
I feel very sorry and regret what you are experiencing, and completely understand your reaction.
A patient undergoing open surgery should always have antibiotics at the time of inducing anesthesia and repeat the dose if the operation last more than 6 hours.
I hope this may help you. Good luck and best regards,
Paolo Macchiarini MD
pm pmacchiarini@thoraxeuropea.eu
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97. I am indeed a CVT surgeon and not qualified in General Surgery but it is my understanding that prophylactic antibiotics are given with induction for colonic surgery. I regret your loss and hope you find answers to your questions. Goldman, Dr. Bernard Bernard.Goldman@sunnybrook.ca
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98. Dear Mr Kilby,
Your questions seem utterly reasonable. As you rightly note I am a cardiothoracic surgeon, so through this reply I am asking John Black, President of the Royal College of Surgeons in England to put you in touch with someone better equipped to answer your questions.
I am sorry that the immense pain you must be feeling at the loss of your daughter is being made worse by difficulty in having some very simple questions answered.
I hope we can help you. Bruce Keogh
Sir Bruce Keogh NHS Medical Director
Message sent from a Blackberry handheld device.
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99. Mr. Kilby
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