T he prevention of wound infection is central to the successful outcome of any operative procedure. This is especially so for 'day-case surgery' which now accounts for 30-50% of all in-hospital surgical procedures. As in any surgical procedure, complications following day-case surgery, including wound infection, can result in unexpected hospital admissions, prolonged follow-up and rehabilitation and delay in the patient's return to work. A review of the current literature reveals that little has been published about postoperative infection rates in day-case hand surgery and the possible factors promoting infection. Patients and Methods PatientsA prospective study of 1035 consecutive patients attending the Mayday University Hospital Hand Clinic for day-case surgery over the 2-year period from April 1999 to March 2001 was carried out. Seven patients were excluded as they were already taking antibiotics at the time of operation for an unrelated condition. The surgical procedures carried out are presented in Table 1. Operative technique and follow-upAll operations were performed in one of three dedicated operating theatres in the day-care surgical unit of the hospital by one of the two authors. Patients were allowed to wear a gown in theatre; the surgeons wore standard theatre greens and sterile gloves. The surgeons did not wear face masks during any of the procedures but sterile surgical gowns were worn in 9 cases of trapezioplasty. Wound infections in day-case hand surgery: a prospective studyKambiz Hashemi, Christopher J BlakeleyThe Hand Clinic, Mayday University Hospital, Croydon, UK Background: There is little published information about postoperative infection rates in day-case hand surgery and the possible factors promoting infection. Results: We report on infection rates observed in day-case hand surgery of 1035 cases over a 2-year period performed by two consultant surgeons. Infection rates of just over 1% were observed. Conclusion: We believe that this low infection rate reflects seniority of surgeon, operative technique and short duration of operation.