The Risk Factors Associated with Surgical Site Infection after an Abdominal Operation

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Surgical site infection (SSI) is the most common nosocomial infection in surgical patients, and this accounts for 38% of all patients with nosocomial infections. Despite the advances in techniques and knowledge to prevent infection, SSI remains a significant source of postoperative morbidity and mortality, and it results in a prolonged hospital stay and increased cost. This study aims to assess the incidence of SSI and to identify the risk factors associated with SSI for patients who undergo abdominal operation. METHODS: The data on 347 abdominal operations that were done under general anesthesia from 1 August 2005 to 31 July 2006 was collected and reviewed. RESULTS: The overall incidence of SSI was 4.9%. Comorbidity was the independent risk factor for the development of SSI (P=0.011). The development of SSI was related with the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) preoperative assessment score (P=0.025). The duration of the operation had a statistically significant association with an increased risk of SSI on univariate analysis. The wound classification was not associated with SSI. Staphylococcus aureus was the most frequently isolated organism, and all of the cases were methcillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrate that comorbidity is a significant independent risk factor for SSI.