Assessment Of Surgical Site Infections and Associated Determinants Following Surgical Procedures in a Tertiary Care Center in India

Abstract

Introduction: SSI is significant postoperative complication leads to morbidity, prolonged hospitalization, exposure to antibiotics, and increased health care cost. Various factors related to both patient-related, surgery-related, and post-operative, is significant development of SSI. The study evaluated the prevalence of SSI, distribution of bacteria involved, and various factors associated with it.

Method: The study was cross sectional observational study design was conducted among 80 patients admitted to the tertiary care centre for surgery in India. The convenience sample method included 40 SSI cases and 40 non-SSI cases. Specimens from patients were cultured with conventional microbiological techniques. Data analysis was done by the use of SPSS version 27.0, Chi-square test p<0.05.

Results: Out of 80 patients who underwent surgery, 40 (50.0%) had SSI. Exploratory laparotomy had the highest rate of SSI (7, 17.5%), while hernia repair had the second-highest percentage of SSI (6, 15.0%). The commonest isolate was Staphylococcus aureus (32), followed by Escherichia coli (27). Out of patients with SSI, 55.0% had diabetes, 72.5% were male, and 77.5% were hospitalized for more than 7 days. Significant associations were observed for age (p=0.040), gender (p=0.022), surgery type (p=0.025), diabetes (p<0.0001), and hospital stay (p<0.0001).

Conclusion: The study concluded that the SSI prevalence was noted with diabetes, long term hospitalization stay, age, gender and the surgical features is related with the occurrence of infection.