A Study of Surgical Site Infections in Abdominal Surgeries

Abstract

BACKGROUNDInfections that occur in the wound created by an invasive surgical procedure are generally referred to as surgical site infections (SSIs). Abdominal surgical site infections are among the most common infectious complications in hospitalized patients and are associated with serious consequences for outcomes and costs. They account for up to 14% of SSIs in studies conducted in developing countries. The present study aims to determine the frequency of surgical site infections in patients undergoing various abdominal surgical procedures and the associated risk factors, the organisms implicated and their sensitivity patterns, and the outcomes observed after treatment. METHODSDetails of the patients who developed SSI following abdominal surgeries were recorded in a proforma which included relevant information with regard to history, clinical examination and perioperative management. A cross-sectional study was performed on 100 patients who developed SSI following abdominal surgeries. The type of SSI, the risk factors encountered, the causative organisms isolated and their sensitivity patterns and the outcomes following treatment were studied. RESULTS100 out of 867 patients who underwent abdominal surgeries, both elective and emergency, over a period of 24 months, developed SSI at the rate of 11.53% (7.05% elective and 19.42% emergency). Surgery for duodenal ulcer perforation was the most common abdominal procedure to develop SSI. Smoking, anaemia and blood transfusions were the most frequent risk factors. Majority of the cultures yielded E.coli, Klebsiella and Staphylococcus aureus species. Most were superficial incisional SSIs and resolved after drainage of pus, mostly by the removal of a stitch.