Robert E. Condon

Bio: Robert E. Condon is an academic researcher from Medical College of Wisconsin. The author has contributed to research in topics: Hernia & Colon surgery. The author has an hindex of 48, co-authored 192 publications receiving 7376 citations. Previous affiliations of Robert E. Condon include United States Department of Veterans Affairs & University of Illinois at Chicago.

Preoperative oral antibiotics reduce septic complications of colon operations: results of prospective, randomized, double-blind clinical study.

Abstract: The effectiveness of short-term, low-dose, preoperative oral administration of neomycin and erythromycin base combined with vigorous purgation in reducing the incidence of wound infections and other septic complications of elective colon and rectal operations has been studied in a prospective, randomized, double-blind, clinical trial. One hundred and sixteen patients completed the study; all received mechanical preparation; 56 received neomycin-erythromycin base while 60 received an identical appearing placebo. The two patient groups were comparable in age distribution, clinical diagnoses, associated systemic diseases, types of operation performed and similar clinical features. The overall rate of directly related septic complications was 43 per cent in the placebo group and 9% in the group receiving neomycin and erythromycin base. The wound infection rates were 35% in placebo and 9% in antibiotic treated patients. Oral administration of neomycin and erythromycin base together with vigorous mechanical cleansing reduces the risk of septic complications after elective colo-rectal operations.

Management of secondary peritonitis.

Abstract: OBJECTIVE. The authors review current definition, classification, scoring, microbiology, inflammatory response, and goals of management of secondary peritonitis. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA. Despite improved diagnostic modalities, potent antibiotics, modern intensive care, and aggressive surgical treatment, up to one third of patients still die of severe secondary peritonitis. Against the background of current understanding of the local and systemic inflammatory response associated with peritonitis, there is growing controversy concerning the optimal antibiotic and operative therapy, intensified by lack of properly conducted randomized studies. In this overview the authors attempt to outline controversies, suggest a practical clinical approach, and highlight issues necessitating further research. METHODS. The authors review the literature and report their experience. RESULTS. The emerging concepts concerning antibiotic treatment suggest that less-in terms of the number of drugs and the duration of treatment-is better. The classical single operation for peritonitis, which obliterates the source of infection and purges the peritoneal cavity, may be inadequate for severe forms of peritonitis; for the latter, more aggressive surgical techniques are necessary to decompress increased intra-abdominal pressure and prevent or treat persistent and recurrent infection. The widespread acceptance of the more aggressive and demanding surgical methods has been hampered by the lack of randomized trials and reportedly high associated morbidity rates. CONCLUSIONS. Sepsis represents the host's systemic inflammatory response to bacterial peritonitis. To improve results, both the initiator and the biologic consequences of the peritoneal infective-inflammatory process should be addressed. The initiator may be better controlled in severe forms of peritonitis by aggressive surgical methods, whereas the search for methods to abort its systemic consequences is continuing.

Effectiveness of a Surgical Wound Surveillance Program

Abstract: • A five-year surgical wound surveillance program included the following features: (1) observations were made by a trained nurse-surveyor; (2) all surgical services, without exception, were surveyed; (3) the nurse-surveyor reported directly to the Chief, Surgical Service; (4) all infected wounds and all suspected of harboring an infection were observed daily by the nurse-surveyor; (5) all wounds were inspected on the third and seventh postoperative days, at hospital discharge, and at a follow-up clinic visit; and (6) cultures were obtained from all infected wounds. Data concerning infections for all surgical services were published each month at the mortality-morbidity conference. The number of wounds closed primarily and the number of infected wounds were recorded, together with calculations of wound infection rates by operation class, for each surgical service and for the whole hospital. During the study, the rate of wound infections progressively declined. The overall incidence decreased from 3.5% before the study began to less than 1% at its conclusion. ( Arch Surg 1983;118:303-307)

Guideline for Prevention of Surgical Site Infection, 1999

Abstract: The “Guideline for Prevention of Surgical Site Infection, 1999” presents the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)'s recommendations for the prevention of surgical site infections (SSIs), formerly called surgical wound infections. This two-part guideline updates and replaces previous guidelines.Part I, “Surgical Site Infection: An Overview,” describes the epidemiology, definitions, microbiology, pathogenesis, and surveillance of SSIs. Included is a detailed discussion of the pre-, intra-, and postoperative issues relevant to SSI genesis.

Clinical practice guidelines for antimicrobial prophylaxis in surgery

Abstract: These guidelines were developed jointly by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP), the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA), the Surgical Infection Society (SIS), and the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA). This work represents an update to the

Results from the International Conference of Experts on Intra-abdominal Hypertension and Abdominal Compartment Syndrome. II. Recommendations.

Abstract: Intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) and abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) have been increasingly recognized in the critically ill over the past decade. In the absence of consensus definitions and treatment guidelines the diagnosis and management of IAH and ACS remains variable from institution to institution. An international consensus group of multidisciplinary critical care specialists convened at the second World Congress on Abdominal Compartment Syndrome to develop practice guidelines for the diagnosis, management, and prevention of IAH and ACS. Prior to the conference the authors developed a blueprint for consensus definitions and treatment guidelines which were refined both during and after the conference. The present article is the second installment of the final report from the 2004 International ACS Consensus Definitions Conference and is endorsed by the World Society of the Abdominal Compartment Syndrome. The prevalence and etiological factors for IAH and ACS are reviewed. Evidence-based medicine treatment guidelines are presented to facilitate the diagnosis and management of IAH and ACS. Recommendations to guide future studies are proposed. These definitions, guidelines, and recommendations, based upon current best evidence and expert opinion are proposed to assist clinicians in the management of IAH and ACS as well as serve as a reference for future clinical and basic science research.