AND FULL-TEXT SCREENING To identify studies which were a) relevant to one or more key questions b) primary analytic research, systematic review or meta-analysis and c) written in English DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS Data abstracted into evidence tables; study quality assessed DRAFT RECOMMENDATIONS Strength of evidence graded; summaries and recommendations drafted FINALIZE RECOMMENDATIONS Recommendations finalized; guideline published

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Guideline for prevention of catheter-associated urinary tract infections 2009.

The issue of whether low-level tolerance to germicides selects for antibiotic-resistant strains is unsettled but might depend on the mechanism by which tolerance is attained. For example, changes in the permeability barrier or efflux mechanisms might affect susceptibility to both antibiotics and germicides, but specific changes to a target site might not. Some researchers have suggested that use of disinfectants or antiseptics (e.g., triclosan) could facilitate development of antibiotic-resistant microorganisms 334, 335, . Although evidence in laboratory studies indicates low-level resistance to triclosan, the concentrations of triclosan in these studies were low (generally <1 μg/mL) and dissimilar from the higher levels used in antimicrobial products (2,000–20,000 μg/mL) 364, . Thus, researchers can create laboratory-derived mutants that demonstrate reduced susceptibility to antiseptics or disinfectants. In some experiments, such bacteria have demonstrated reduced susceptibility to certain antibiotics . There is no evidence that using antiseptics or disinfectants selects for antibiotic-resistant organisms in nature or that such mutants survive in nature. ). In addition, the action of antibiotics and the action of disinfectants differ fundamentally. Antibiotics are selectively toxic and generally have a single target site in bacteria, thereby inhibiting a specific biosynthetic process. Germicides generally are considered nonspecific antimicrobials because of a multiplicity of toxic-effect mechanisms or target sites and are broader spectrum in the types of microorganisms against which they are effective 344, .

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Guideline for disinfection and sterilization in healthcare facilities, 2008

Disinfection, Sterilization Guideline for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities, 2008

A new method for the treatment of scoliosis is described in which a metal system of rods and hooks is implanted, and distraction and compression forces applied, to correct the curve and stabilize the treated segments in the corrected position by skeletal fixation. The technique and principles of this method of treatment and a summary of the preliminary results are given.

JBJS classics: Treatment of scoliosis: Correction and internal fixation by spine instrumentation

Study Design. Literature review. Objective. To establish consistent parameters for future adolescent idiopathic scoliosis bracing studies so that valid and reliable comparisons can be made. of Background Data. Current bracing literature lacks consistency for both inclusion criteria and the definitions of brace effectiveness. Methods. A total of 32 brace treatment studies and the current bracing in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis proposal were analyzed to: (1) determine inclusion criteria that will best identify those patients most at risk for progression, (2) determine the most appropriate definitions for bracing effectiveness, and (3) identify additional variables that would provide valuable information. Results. Early brace studies lacked clarity in their inclusion criteria. In more recent studies, inclusion criteria have narrowed considerably to include primarily those patients most at risk for curve progression who may benefit from the use of a brace. Brace effectiveness was usually defined by various degrees of curve progression at maturity. Less frequently, it was defined by the resultant curve magnitude at maturity, whether or not surgical intervention was needed, or if there was change to another brace. Conclusions. Optimal inclusion criteria for future adolescent idiopathic scoliosis brace studies consist of: age is 10 years or older when brace is prescribed, Risser 0-2, primary curve angles 25°-40°, no prior treatment, and, if female, either premenarchal or less than 1 year postmenarchal. Assessment of brace effectiveness should include: (1) the percentage of patients who have ≤5° curve progression and the percentage of patients who have a6° progression at maturity, (2) the percentage of patients with curves exceeding 45° at maturity and the percentage who have had surgery recommended/undertaken, and (3) 2-year follow-up beyond maturity to determine the percentage of patients who subsequently undergo surgery. All patients, regardless of subjective reports on compliance, should be included in the results (intent to treat). Every study should provide results stratified by curve type and size grouping.

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Standardization of criteria for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis brace studies: SRS Committee on Bracing and Nonoperative Management.

The long-term effect of Boston brace treatment was investigated by computed tomography measurements before treatment, after bracing, and at mean follow-up at 8.5 years in 25 patients with idiopathic scoliosis. At follow-up, the pretreatment Cobb angle, the vertebral rotation, the rib hump, and the translation of the apical vertebra were not significantly changed. The sagittal diameter of the thoracic cage was significantly decreased at follow-up. The current study demonstrates that the Boston brace does not improve, but prevents progression of vertebral rotation, translation, rib hump, and Cobb angle in idiopathic scoliosis. The reduced sagittal diameter is noteworthy and may be of importance for cosmesis and pulmonary function.

Long-term results of Boston brace treatment on vertebral rotation in idiopathic scoliosis.

The long-term effect of Harrington instrumentation was investigated using posteroanterior radiographs and computed tomographic measurements preoperatively, postoperatively, and at a mean follow-up at 10.8 years in 33 patients with idiopathic scoliosis. No patient was lost from long-term follow-up. At follow-up, the mean Cobb angle was improved by 23.7 (40%) compared with the preoperative findings. The rotation of the apical vertebra was increased significantly. The rib hump, the translation of the apical vertebra, and the sagittal diameter of the thoracic cage were unchanged. At follow-up, the mean thoracic kyphosis was 17.3, and lumbar lordosis was 22.0. This study demonstrated that the long-term effect of Harrington instrumentation was limited to an improved Cobb angle; no correction of the rotational or sagittal deformities were achieved.

Long-term results of Harrington instrumentation in idiopathic scoliosis.

The effect of Cotrel-Dubousset instrumentation (CDI) on the three-dimensional spinal deformity in 24 consecutive patients with idiopathic scoliosis was investigated by posteroanterior and lateral radiographs and by computed tomography preoperatively, postoperatively, and at a mean follow-up of 3.2 years (range 2.0–5.3 years). At follow-up the mean Cobb angle was decreased by 73%, and the translation of the apical vertebra was significantly decreased by 33%. The sagittal contour was significantly improved with thoracic kyphosis T5–12 increased by 46% (6.9°) and lumbar lordosis L1–5 increased by 28% (10.3°) at follow-up. The sagittal diameter was significantly improved by 5 mm at follow-up. Although the vertebral rotation and the size of rib hump was improved postoperatively, this was followed by significant loss of correction, and at follow-up the vertebral rotation and the size of rib hump were not significantly better than preoperatively. The study indicates that while CDI improves the coronal and sagittal plane deformity permanently, the effect on vertetebral rotation and the rib hump deteriorates with time.

Mid-term effects of Cotrel-Dubousset instrumentation on the configuration of the spine and the thoracic cage in thoracic idiopathic scoliosis.

In a prospective randomized study the effect of the use of an intraoperative indwelling urethral catheter (IUC) on urinary complications was investigated in patients undergoing spinal fusion. Two groups were formed; 16 patients received an intraoperative IUC and 16 patients had no intraoperative catheter (NC). All patients were, if necessary, intermittently catheterized in the postoperative period. Seven of the patients in the IUC group had positive cultures, defined as ≥100000 CFU/ml, compared with two patients in the NC group (n.s.). Another four patients in the NC group had cultures ≥10000 CFU/ml. Thirteen patients in the IUC group and 14 patients in the NC group had positive dip slides. The largest received urine volume in each patient at one intermittent catheterization did not differ significantly between the groups. However, in three patients in the NC group the volumes exceeded 1000 ml. Thus, irrespective of treatment dip slides showed bacteriuria in 84% of the patients. Perioperative indwelling catheters do not seem to cause many more infection complications than no bladder drainage during surgery, and the advantages of reduced risk of bladder distension injury and more accurate monitoring of fluid balance suggest their use.

R. Hedlund

Papers

Long-term results of Boston brace treatment on vertebral rotation in idiopathic scoliosis.

Long-term results of Harrington instrumentation in idiopathic scoliosis.

Mid-term effects of Cotrel-Dubousset instrumentation on the configuration of the spine and the thoracic cage in thoracic idiopathic scoliosis.

Urethral catheterization in spinal surgery: a randomized prospective study.