Surgical site infection in elective sugery

ABSTRACT

To determine the causes and rate of surgical rate site infection [SSI]. Descriptive study. Surgical Unit II, Peoples Medical College and Hospital Nawabshah, from August 2009 to July 2010. Patients of different wound categories were included in this study and followed up for 30 days postoperatively. The wound infection which occurred within 30 days of operation was considered as surgical site infection. The diagnosis of infection was made on clinical rather than on bacteriological basis. Total number of patients was 300. Out of 212 patients from 12-50 years of age 14 [6.6%] developed SSI, whereas among 88 patients above 50 years, 14 [15.9%] developed wound infection. Most patients had body mass index between 20-28 kg/m[2]. Obesity was more common in females and BMI more than 35 kg/m[2] appeared to be a risk factor for SSI. Most common organisms were Staphylococcus aureus [50%], E. coli [14.3%], Klebsiella [14.3%] and other organisms found in 5-7% cases. Wound infection occurred in 28 [9.3%] patients. The achievable preventive measures should be taken to save the economic burden on patient, hospital and community as a whole