Lysostaphin-coated mesh prevents staphylococcal infection and significantly improves survival in a contaminated surgical field.

Mesh and wound infections during hernia repair are predominantly caused by Staphylococcus aureus. Human acellular dermis (HAD) is known to lose its integrity in the face of large bacterial loads. The goal of this study was to determine if lysostaphin (LS), a naturally occurring anti-Staphylococcal protein, can protect HAD mesh from S.

Incidence and management of inferior vena cava filter thrombus detected at time of filter retrieval.

Purpose: To evaluate inferior vena cava (IVC) venograms (ie, cavograms) before filter retrieval to determine the incidence and volume of filter thrombus relative to filter dwell time and evaluate subsequent changes in thrombus volume with additional anticoagulation.

Materials And Methods: IVC filter retrieval attempts between December 2002 and June 2010 were retrospectively reviewed to determine the incidence of filter thrombus and estimate thrombus volume on a preretrieval cavogram. Correlation between filter dwell times (assessed at 30-d intervals) and incidence and volume of thrombus was assessed.

Evaluation of the antimicrobial activity of lysostaphin-coated hernia repair meshes.

Bacterial infections by antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains are among the most common postoperative complications in surgical hernia repair with synthetic mesh. Surface coating of medical devices/implants using antibacterial peptides and enzymes has recently emerged as a potentially effective method for preventing infections. The objective of this study was to evaluate the in vitro antimicrobial activity of hernia repair meshes coated by the antimicrobial enzyme lysostaphin at different initial concentrations.