A prospective study of post-operative surgical site infection

Abstract

Introduction: Procedures causing a break in the skin continuity, the natural barrier against infection, predisposes to infection. SSIs are defined as a discharge that may be serous or purulent discharge and presents within 30 days of a surgical procedure (within 1 year in case of a prosthetic implant). There is an emerging problem of SSIs due to resistant organisms. Objective: To identify the possible risk factors related to the development of SSIs and the common pathogens encountered in the development of SSIs. Methods: This is prospective, observational study. Patients of either gender that aged more than or equal to 18 years, who reported to the surgery department and underwent either elective or emergency surgeries and developed post-operative surgical site infections were included after taking consent. A swab was collected and sent to the microbiology department for culture and sensitivity reports. Results: A total of 103 patients with surgical site infection were enrolled. SSIs were predominant in males (62.14%) as compared to females (37.86%). The mean age of the patients was 52.58 ± 19.77years. Maximum patients were in the age group of 58 to 77 years. SSIs were common in surgeries performed in an emergency setting rather than those performed electively. SSIs were common in a contaminated wound (45.63%) followed by dirty wounds (28.16%). History of hospitalization is positively correlated with the development of SSIs. Conclusion: Both, patients, as well as a surgical factor, acts as the risk for its development. Each hospital must have its list of antimicrobials to be used for empirical therapy. An antimicrobial stewardship program needs to be implemented to bring this incidence of resistant SSIs down.