A standardized infection prevention bundle for reduction of CSF shunt infections in adult ventriculoperitoneal shunt surgery performed without antibiotic-impregnated catheters. 2023

Sandeep Muram, and Albert M Isaacs, and Nicholas Sader, and Richard Holubkov, and Annie Fong, and John Conly, and Mark G Hamilton
1Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Division of Neurosurgery, University of Calgary, Alberta.

Ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt insertion and revision surgeries are some of the most common procedures that are performed by neurosurgeons. Shunt infections within the adult population are associated with significant morbidity and mortality and rates remain high. The objective of the current study was to use quality improvement (QI) methodology to create a standardized infection prevention bundle aimed at reducing the rate of shunt infections. A prospective, single-center, single-surgeon QI study was undertaken. Patients were included if they were 18 years of age or older and were undergoing a VP shunt insertion or revision. The primary outcome of the study was the development of a shunt-related surgical site infection, within 1 year of surgery, as defined according to the Canadian Nosocomial Infection Surveillance Program guidelines. There was no standardized protocol prior to July 2013. A bundle coined as the Calgary Adult Shunt Infection Prevention Protocol (CASIPP) was implemented on July 1, 2013, and updated on July 1, 2015, when 2% chlorhexidine gluconate in 70% isopropyl alcohol replaced povidone-iodine for preoperative skin antisepsis. Protocol compliance was regularly monitored using a standardized process. No antibiotic-impregnated catheters were used. A total of 621 consecutive VP shunt insertions and revisions were included in the study. The rate of shunt infection was 5.8% during the period in which there was no standardized shunt protocol. After the implementation of the CASIPP the infection rate decreased to 4.0%, and after introduction of the chlorhexidine/alcohol skin antisepsis, the infection rate was 0% in 379 consecutive procedures (p < 0.0001). Multivariable logistic regression analysis demonstrated that the use of chlorhexidine/alcohol with CASIPP was associated with a significant reduction in the odds of developing a shunt infection (OR 0.032, 95% CI 0-0.19, p = 0.0005). The implementation of a standardized shunt infection prevention bundle within the adult population, without the use of antibiotic-impregnated catheters, significantly reduced the rate of shunt infections which was sustained over many years. The use of 2% chlorhexidine gluconate in 70% isopropyl alcohol for preoperative antisepsis may have played a significant role. Multicenter studies should be completed to verify the effectiveness of the authors' protocol.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D011446 Prospective Studies Observation of a population for a sufficient number of persons over a sufficient number of years to generate incidence or mortality rates subsequent to the selection of the study group. Prospective Study,Studies, Prospective,Study, Prospective
D002170 Canada The largest country in North America, comprising 10 provinces and three territories. Its capital is Ottawa.
D002710 Chlorhexidine A disinfectant and topical anti-infective agent used also as mouthwash to prevent oral plaque. Chlorhexidine Acetate,Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride,MK-412A,Novalsan,Sebidin A,Tubulicid,Acetate, Chlorhexidine,Hydrochloride, Chlorhexidine,MK 412A,MK412A
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D006849 Hydrocephalus Excessive accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid within the cranium which may be associated with dilation of cerebral ventricles, INTRACRANIAL HYPERTENSION; HEADACHE; lethargy; URINARY INCONTINENCE; and ATAXIA. Communicating Hydrocephalus,Congenital Hydrocephalus,Obstructive Hydrocephalus,Post-Traumatic Hydrocephalus,Aqueductal Stenosis,Cerebral Ventriculomegaly,Fetal Cerebral Ventriculomegaly,Hydrocephalus Ex-Vacuo,Hydrocephaly,Aqueductal Stenoses,Cerebral Ventriculomegalies,Cerebral Ventriculomegalies, Fetal,Cerebral Ventriculomegaly, Fetal,Fetal Cerebral Ventriculomegalies,Hydrocephalus Ex Vacuo,Hydrocephalus Ex-Vacuos,Hydrocephalus, Communicating,Hydrocephalus, Congenital,Hydrocephalus, Obstructive,Hydrocephalus, Post-Traumatic,Post Traumatic Hydrocephalus,Stenoses, Aqueductal,Stenosis, Aqueductal,Ventriculomegalies, Cerebral,Ventriculomegalies, Fetal Cerebral,Ventriculomegaly, Cerebral,Ventriculomegaly, Fetal Cerebral
D000293 Adolescent A person 13 to 18 years of age. Adolescence,Youth,Adolescents,Adolescents, Female,Adolescents, Male,Teenagers,Teens,Adolescent, Female,Adolescent, Male,Female Adolescent,Female Adolescents,Male Adolescent,Male Adolescents,Teen,Teenager,Youths
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults
D000431 Ethanol A clear, colorless liquid rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and distributed throughout the body. It has bactericidal activity and is used often as a topical disinfectant. It is widely used as a solvent and preservative in pharmaceutical preparations as well as serving as the primary ingredient in ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES. Alcohol, Ethyl,Absolute Alcohol,Grain Alcohol,Alcohol, Absolute,Alcohol, Grain,Ethyl Alcohol
D000900 Anti-Bacterial Agents Substances that inhibit the growth or reproduction of BACTERIA. Anti-Bacterial Agent,Anti-Bacterial Compound,Anti-Mycobacterial Agent,Antibacterial Agent,Antibiotics,Antimycobacterial Agent,Bacteriocidal Agent,Bacteriocide,Anti-Bacterial Compounds,Anti-Mycobacterial Agents,Antibacterial Agents,Antibiotic,Antimycobacterial Agents,Bacteriocidal Agents,Bacteriocides,Agent, Anti-Bacterial,Agent, Anti-Mycobacterial,Agent, Antibacterial,Agent, Antimycobacterial,Agent, Bacteriocidal,Agents, Anti-Bacterial,Agents, Anti-Mycobacterial,Agents, Antibacterial,Agents, Antimycobacterial,Agents, Bacteriocidal,Anti Bacterial Agent,Anti Bacterial Agents,Anti Bacterial Compound,Anti Bacterial Compounds,Anti Mycobacterial Agent,Anti Mycobacterial Agents,Compound, Anti-Bacterial,Compounds, Anti-Bacterial
D013530 Surgical Wound Infection Infection occurring at the site of a surgical incision. Postoperative Wound Infection,Infection, Postoperative Wound,Infection, Surgical Wound,Surgical Site Infection,Wound Infection, Postoperative,Wound Infection, Surgical,Infection, Surgical Site,Infections, Postoperative Wound,Infections, Surgical Site,Infections, Surgical Wound,Postoperative Wound Infections,Surgical Site Infections,Surgical Wound Infections,Wound Infections, Postoperative,Wound Infections, Surgical

Related Publications

Sandeep Muram, and Albert M Isaacs, and Nicholas Sader, and Richard Holubkov, and Annie Fong, and John Conly, and Mark G Hamilton
May 2024, BMC pediatrics,
Sandeep Muram, and Albert M Isaacs, and Nicholas Sader, and Richard Holubkov, and Annie Fong, and John Conly, and Mark G Hamilton
June 2007, Journal of clinical neuroscience : official journal of the Neurosurgical Society of Australasia,
Sandeep Muram, and Albert M Isaacs, and Nicholas Sader, and Richard Holubkov, and Annie Fong, and John Conly, and Mark G Hamilton
January 2014, Turkish journal of medical sciences,
Sandeep Muram, and Albert M Isaacs, and Nicholas Sader, and Richard Holubkov, and Annie Fong, and John Conly, and Mark G Hamilton
April 2012, British journal of neurosurgery,
Sandeep Muram, and Albert M Isaacs, and Nicholas Sader, and Richard Holubkov, and Annie Fong, and John Conly, and Mark G Hamilton
December 2011, British journal of neurosurgery,
Sandeep Muram, and Albert M Isaacs, and Nicholas Sader, and Richard Holubkov, and Annie Fong, and John Conly, and Mark G Hamilton
December 2011, British journal of neurosurgery,
Sandeep Muram, and Albert M Isaacs, and Nicholas Sader, and Richard Holubkov, and Annie Fong, and John Conly, and Mark G Hamilton
July 2015, Child's nervous system : ChNS : official journal of the International Society for Pediatric Neurosurgery,
Sandeep Muram, and Albert M Isaacs, and Nicholas Sader, and Richard Holubkov, and Annie Fong, and John Conly, and Mark G Hamilton
March 2003, Infection,
Sandeep Muram, and Albert M Isaacs, and Nicholas Sader, and Richard Holubkov, and Annie Fong, and John Conly, and Mark G Hamilton
November 2016, Lancet (London, England),
Sandeep Muram, and Albert M Isaacs, and Nicholas Sader, and Richard Holubkov, and Annie Fong, and John Conly, and Mark G Hamilton
September 2025, World neurosurgery,
Copied contents to your clipboard!