Risk Factors for Surgical Site Infection Following Ventriculoperitoneal Shunting

Abstract

Background: Ventriculoperitoneal shunting (VPS) is a neurosurgical procedure used to treat hydrocephalus. However, after this procedure, the surgical site infection rates and associated risk factors remain unclear. Most studies do not apply clear criteria for the definition of surgical site infection (SSI), hindering its clinical applicability. Methods:We conducted a retrospective, case-control study to evaluate the risk factors for SSI after VPS. The National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) criteria were used to define SSI. A case was defined as any case of VPS with confirmation of SSI, and the control was defined as patient who underwent VPS without SSI after the procedure. Data were collected from patients undergoing VPS admitted to a hospital in Brazil between January 2007 and December 2011.Results: SSI occurred in 15.7% of patients, with organ/ space SSIs being the most common (89.8%). Staphylococcus epidermidis was the most frequent (30.4%) of the positive cultures. Of the total patients, 39.5% were under the age of 1 year and had an increased risk of infection at the surgical site after VPS. Preoperative bath was associated with a lower number of SSIs. Conclusions:This study provides important information about SSI rates, risk, and protective factors in patients who underwent VPS in Brazil.