A Retrospective Study of Bacteriology and Antibiotic Sensitivity Pattern of Post Operative Surgical Site Infections in Orthopedics

Abstract

Surgical Site infection (SSI) is one of the most common post-operative complications and causes significant post-operative morbidity and mortality. The global estimates of SSI have varied from 0.5% to 15%, studies in India have consistently shown higher rates ranging from 23% to 38%1. The aim of the study was to know the etiological bacterial agents causing SSI and their antimicrobial susceptibility pattern. This retrospective study included 69 patients who developed Post-operative wound infections (SSI) during the 1-year period from April 2019 to March 2020. An analysis of SSI occurrence, the organisms isolated and antibiotic sensitivity pattern results was made. In overall surgeries conducted during the study period in orthopedics department at our institute, 69 cases were clinically diagnosed of having SSIs, including 51 males and 18 females with the mean age of 39.2 years. Out of the total 69 samples, 6 (8.69%) yielded no bacterial growth and among the rest 63 samples, Staphylococcus aureus 21 (30.43%) was the most common organism isolated. The other organisms isolated were Klebsiella pneumonia 13 (18.84%), Pseudomonas 11 (15.94%), Escherichia coli 5 (7.24%), Proteus species 3 (4.34%) and Acinetobacter species 3 (4.34%). Mixed isolates were obtained in 2 (11.9%) specimens. Bacteriological and antibiotic susceptibility study is an important tool to treat infection timely and effectively in-turn minimizing untoward long term sequelae of surgical site infections.