Background: Postoperative wound infections, and now the surgical site infections (SSIs), they usually occur within 30 days following a surgical procedure and may occur up to 1 year if a prosthetic is implanted. In this study we aimed to determine the bacteriological profile and antibiogram of surgical site infections among patients attending a tertiary care teaching hospital.

Methods: The study was a cross-sectional study which was carried out at a tertiary care teaching hospital of Kashmir Valley. The study was conducted for a period of 2 months from November 2018-December 2018 among patients with SSIs from various surgical wards of the associated hospital. Patients with cellulitis and suture abscess were excluded. A questionnaire was developed before the study to capture socio-demographic and clinical details.

Results: A total of 55 swab samples were collected from different sites of the patients who had SSIs. The majority 29 (52.7) belonging to the age group of 21-40 years followed by 13 (23.6%) belonging to age group of < 20 years. Most of the subjects 30 (54.5%) were having normal body mass Index while 21 (38%) were obese. Most of the subjects 28 (50.9%) belonged to Upper Middle Class. Most of the samples 15 (27.3%) were sterile and were without any growth while 13 (23.6%) and 12 (21.8%) samples had growth of Staphylococcus aureus and E.Coli respectively. Most of the samples were sensitive to Imepenum 33 (60%), linezolid 31(56.4%), Amikacin 29 (52.7%) followed by Gentamycin 27 (49.1%). However, antibiotic resistance was seen for Ceftazidime clavulunate 36 (65.5%), Ceftriaxone 35 (63.6%), Pipercillin Tazobactum 31 (56.4%) followed by Cotrimoxazole 28 (50.9%).

Conclusion: Extremes of age and obesity are known risk factors for SSIs. Bacterial resistance is a serious threat for treating infections and exists for more commonly available and used antimicrobials.

Keywords: Bacterial Infection, Surgical Site Infections, SSIs, Wound Infection, Antibiotic Ressitance. 

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Sheikh Mohd Saleem

Demonstrator, Department of Community Medicine, Government Medical College, Srinagar, J&K