Background: Surgical site infections (SSI) are one of the most common healthcare associated infections in the low-middle income countries. Data on incidence and risk factors for SSI following general surgeries in particular are scare. This study set out to study the prevalence and identify risk factors for SSI in patients undergoing General Surgery Department in an Indian rural hospital.

Methods: A prospective study was undertaken at the department of general surgery for a period of one year. The rate of SSI was studied in relation to its type, the type of surgical procedure and elective vs emergency surgeries. Surveillance for SSI was based on the Centre for Disease Control (CDC) definition and methodology. Incidence and risk factors for SSI, including those for specific procedure, were calculated from data collected on daily ward rounds. Swab samples were plated on blood agar and MacConkey agar medium.

Results: The final cohort therefore included 215 patients: 159 (73.95%) male and 56 (26.05%) female. Ages ranged from 9 years to 82 years (mean standard deviation: 37.10± 25.23). About 26 (12.09%) anaemic patients who underwent surgery developed SSI. About 45 (20.93%) were prescribed 1 antimicrobial agent (most commonly metronidazole), 133 (61.86% ) were prescribed a combination of 2 antimicrobial agents (commonly cephalosporin combinations), and 37 (17.29%) received a combination of 3 antimicrobial agents  (commonly cephalosporin with metronidazole and amikacin).

Conclusion: SSI surveillance can be reported general surgeries and can be part of routine practice in resource-constrained settings.

Keywords: Surgical site infection (SSI), Surgical wound infection, Surgery, Risk factors, Antimicrobial resistance.

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Dr Sayandev Dasgupta

Associate Professor, Department of General Surgery

ICARE Institute of Medical Sciences & Research,

Haldia - 721645, India

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