Surgical site infections: a comprehensive review

Surgical site infections (SSIs) represent a major public health challenge, contributing to increased morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs worldwide. This paper presents a comprehensive review of the epidemiology, classification, risk factors, microbiological aspects, treatment modalities, and prevention strategies for SSIs, based on contemporary research and evidence-based practice protocols. An extensive literature review was conducted, synthesizing existing studies on SSIs. A comprehensive search was performed in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and guidelines from leading organizations such as the American College of Surgeons, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization, and the Infectious Diseases Society of America. Inclusion criteria encompassed peer-reviewed articles as well as American and European medical guidelines focusing on the epidemiology, risk factors, microbiology, treatment, and prevention of SSIs. The review adhered to the PECO (population, exposure, comparator, outcome) framework. Some of the most significant global concerns related to SSIs include antibiotic resistance and the contamination of surgical instruments, particularly in resource-poor settings. Trauma patients, especially those undergoing emergency procedures or sustaining open fractures, are at increased risk for SSIs due to the severity of their injuries and higher contamination risks. These findings underscore the importance of preventive measures, such as appropriate preoperative interventions, strict aseptic techniques, and proper antibiotic prophylaxis, in reducing SSI incidence and improving patient outcomes.