INCIDENCE AND PREDICTORS OF SURGICAL SITE INFECTION IN MAJOR ABDOMINAL SURGERIES AT A TERTIARY CARE CENTER IN DELHI

Abstract

Objective: Surgical site infections (SSIs) are the third commonly stated nosocomial infections, with the prevalence rate of 14–16%. In India, the prevalence of SSIs in elective surgeries ranged from 3.83% to 39% and in cases of emergency surgeries, the prevalence ranged from 12.41% to 26.4%. This study was aimed to measure the occurrence of SSIs amid subjects experiencing major abdominal surgeries at tertiary care center in Delhi and to assess the predictors related to occurrence of SSIs in these subjects. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, data were collected over a period of 1 year at the Department of Surgery, Super Specialty Hospital in New Delhi. The, from January 2017 to January 2018. All major gastrointestinal surgeries were considered. Sociodemographic details, clinical history, and surgical details were taken. Results: Out of total 626 patients, 42 (6.7%) developed SSIs. The positive predictors of SSIs in our study were male gender, American Society of Anesthesiology grade of 2 and above, wound class of two and above, longer duration of surgery, emergency surgery, open surgery, laparoscopic converted to open surgery, presence of comorbidities, presence of hypoalbuminemia, and hypoproteinemia. Conclusion: SSIs seems to be a common source of perioperative morbidity and mortality, leading to increased hospital stay and cost of treatment. Proper planning and accordingly managing such case by case scenarios can lead to decreased incidence of SSIs and help reducing burden to the health system.