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Surgical site infections (SSIs) are the most common complication after surgery for ankle fractures. This retrospective study aimed to determine the pathogens cultured in SSI and their antimicrobial susceptibility patterns to provide a recommendation for empirical therapy. Patients who underwent surgical treatment for an ankle fracture were included. Cases were screened for the occurrence of SSI and divided into superficial (short course [total of <2 weeks] of oral antibiotics) and deep SSI (surgical debridement and long course [total of >2 weeks] antibiotics). Culture results, antimicrobial susceptibility patterns, empirical antibiotic regimen, type and timing of culture collection, and treatment strategies were collected from electronic health records. In total, 81 (9%) out of 931 patients developed an SSI (39 (48%) superficial SSI and 42 (52%) deep SSI). The most common pathogens in 16 superficial SSI and 37 deep SSI with positive cultures were Staphylococcus aureus , cultured in 11 (69%) superficial SSI and 23 (62%) deep SSI, and Enterobacter cloacae species, cultured in 5 (31%) superficial SSI and 12 (32%) deep SSI. Higher frequencies of gram-negative bacteria and polymicrobial infections were found in deep SSI. It is recommended to aim for empirical treatment at gram-positive and gram-negative microorganisms in the case of both superficial and deep SSI. Level of Evidence: Prognostic, Level 2: Retrospective., Competing Interests: Declaration of Conflicting InterestsThe author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Objective: The ELANA Heart Bypass System is a new sutureless technique for coronary anastomoses. A titanium clip connects the graft with the coronary artery, whereafter the arteriotomy is performed by excimer laser. Since this anastomotic construction evidently differs from the standard hand-sewn anastomosis, we aim to evaluate the process of anastomotic healing and remodeling. Methods: Preclinical evaluation of anastomotic remodeling in 42 pigs who underwent off-pump left internal mammary artery to left anterior descending artery anastomosis by either the ELANA Heart Bypass ( n  = 24) or the hand-sewn ( n  = 18) technique. Anastomotic remodeling was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy and histology in short-term follow-up intervals up to 3 months. Anastomotic patency is determined by coronary angiography at latest follow-up before termination. Results: The nonendothelial surface of both the ELANA and the hand-sewn anastomoses were covered with neointima from 14 days onwards. Only half the amount of intima hyperplasia was present in the anastomotic surface of the patent ELANA anastomosis, compared with the hand-sewn anastomosis (98 [48-1358] vs 218 [108-296] µm, P  = 0.001). Yet patency of the ELANA was inferior to the hand-sewn anastomoses (79% vs 100%, P  = 0.06). Conclusions: This study shows the technical perioperative feasibility of the ELANA Heart Bypass System. Although limited intima hyperplasia was observed, hand-sewn anastomoses had superior patency during follow-up. The results of this trial suggest that an additional study with a new prototype is required before clinical implementation.

Objective: This preclinical study determines the feasibility and 6-month patency rates of a new distal coronary connector, the Excimer Laser Assisted Nonocclusive Anastomosis (ELANA) Heart Bypass., Methods: Twenty Dutch Landrace pigs received either a hand-sewn ( n = 8) or an ELANA ( n = 12) left internal thoracic artery to left anterior descending artery anastomosis, using off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting. Six-month patency rates were demonstrated by coronary angiography and histological evaluation. Throughout, procedural details and complication rates were collected., Results: The ELANA Heart Bypass demonstrated 0% mortality and complication rates during follow-up. It was demonstrated feasible, with comparable perioperative flow measurements (ELANA vs hand-sewn, median [min to max], 24 [14 to 28] vs 17 [12 to 31] mL/min; P = 0.601) and fast construction times (3 [3 to 7] vs 31 [26 to 37] min; P < 0.001). Yet, an extra hemostatic stitch was needed in 25% of the ELANA versus 12.5% of the hand-sewn anastomoses. The 6-month patency rate of the ELANA Heart Bypass was 83.3% versus 100% in hand-sewn anastomoses. The 2 occluded ELANA-anastomoses were defined model-based errors., Conclusions: The ELANA Heart Bypass facilitates a sutureless distal coronary anastomosis. A design change is suggested to improve hemostasis and will be evaluated in future translational studies. This new technique is a potential alternative to hand-sewn anastomoses in (minimally invasive) coronary surgery.