ABSTRACT
To identify the incidence and risk factors for surgical site infection [SSI] after elective colorectal resection. Surgical site infection [SSI] is a potentially morbid and costly complication following major colorectal resection. There has been growing attention placed on the accurate identification and monitoring of such complications, measured in terms of morbidity to patients and increased financial costs to society. Over a 3-year period at a Mansoura university hospital, data on all elective colorectal resections were retrospectively collected. The outcome of interest was a diagnosis of incisional SSI. Variables associated with infection, were collected and analyzed for their association with SSI development Multivariate analysis was then performed on those variables to determine their prognostic significance. One hundred eighty four patients underwent colorectal resection were identified for evaluation. The mean patient age was 66.6 + 6.81 years and 57% were men. Preoperative diagnosis included colorectal cancer [61.4%], inflammatory bowel disease [15.8%], polyposis [12.5%] and diverticulitis [10.3%]. Twenty one patients [11.5%] were diagnosed with SSI. Of all perioperative and operative characteristics, increased body mass index [BMI], intraoperative hypotension, contaminated wound, prolonged operative time and postoperative blood transfusion independently predicted incisional SSI. Surgical wound class, increased BMI, intraoperative hypotension, postoperative transfusion and prolonged operative time were predictors of SSI after elective colorectal resection