A PROSPECTIVE STUDY ON SURGICAL STIE INFECTIONS AT A TERTIARY CARE CENTRE

Abstract

Background: Wound infection is tissue invasion by micro organisms after disruption of systemic and local host defenses, causing lymphangitis, cellulitis, abscesses, bacteremia. Aims &objectives: This prospective study aims at estimating incidence of surgical site infections (SSI) and risk factors of SSIs in general surgical wards at a tertiary care center. Methods: Study design: Prospective study. Source of study: General Surgery Inpatients. Duration Of study: One and half year starting from December 2020 to May 2022. Number of patients:200. Inclusion criteria- Patients who developed surgical site infection following either elective or non-traumatic emergency surgery. Age>18years, Patients giving informed consent. Exclusion criteria: Pregnant women, Age<18years. Results: Data were presented in the form of tables, pie charts, and bar charts of descriptive categorical variables and were analyzed using Fisher's exact test. One-way analysis of variance performed using Kruskal-Wall for comparison of microbiological analysis values. Conclusion: Independent risk factors which are potentially modifiable including open surgical approach, contaminated wound class, and emergency surgery, need to be systematically addressed. In order to control SSI, quality surgical treatment is necessary which includes prompt patient assessment, resuscitative procedures, adequate patient preparation, and an aseptic atmosphere.