ABSTRACT
Background: Postoperative wound infection is a major problem faced by surgeons
Objective: To assess the postoperative wound complications after laparotomy
Subjects and Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted in Surgical Unit of Nawaz Sharif Medical College and Doctors Hospital, Gujrat, Pakistan from 1[st] July 2012 to 30 June[th] 2014. 195 patients underwent laparotomy. Cholecystectomy was done in 102 patients and appendicectomy was done in 93 patients. Their wounds were graded by Southampton wound scoring system. The data was entered and analyzed by using SPSS version 16
Results: 92.2% patients has normal healing [grade 0 or I], minor complications were seen in 6% [grade II or III], 1.5% patients were showing major complications [grade IV or V] during hospital stay. On follow-up in out-patient department, 80.4% patients found to have normal healing [grade 0 or I], 15.2% patients has minor complications [grade II or III] and 4% patients has major complications [grade IV or V]. During follow up for surgical site infections there was an increase in the grades as compared to their record during hospital stay
Conclusion: For the detection of surgical site infection and standardization of the wound, Southampton Wound Scoring System is very useful. Southampton wound scoring can be used for surgical site infection and it may help in the patient, and sterilization protocol improvement