Surgical site infections following cesarean section: A longitudinal study

Abstract

Aim and objective: To find the incidence of surgical site infections following cesarean section and to assess the associated risk factors and the common pathogens involved in these wound infections. Materials and methods: The study was conducted from November 2014 to June 2016. A total of 548 women were included. Data were collected from patients and medical records in a semi-structured proforma and wound site examined till discharge of the patients. After discharge, patients were followed by telephone on day 14 and 30. Results: The mean age of the women was 26.20 ± 4.385 years. The mean BMI was 25.965 ± 4.18 kg/m2. Forty women out of the total 548 developed surgical site infections with an incidence rate of SSI of 7.3%. Only three cases in them were deep SSI. Gram-negative organisms were the most isolated organisms in the infected cases with Escherichia coli being the most common organism. The key risk factors for infections found significant by multiple logistic regression analysis were obesity, severe anemia, prolonged rupture of membranes, multiple vaginal examinations, emergency basis, extended duration of surgery, and skin closure by mattress sutures with silk sutures. Conclusion: The infection rate is significantly associated with severe anemia and obesity, prolonged rupture of membranes, multiple vaginal examinations, emergency procedures, prolonged duration of surgery, and silk as a suture material for skin closure with mattress suture.