Interventions to reduce surgical site infection following elective colorectal surgery: protocol for a systematic review with narrative synthesis and GRADE recommendations

Surgical site infection (SSI) is frequently associated with adverse patient outcomes. SSI is often perceived as a preventable complication following elective surgery, and a wide array of strategies have been reported to reduce its occurrence. Despite this, colorectal surgery continues to have among the highest incidences of SSI, and there is considerable variation in the use of evidence-based practices in its prevention. There are currently no systematic reviews describing the full range of interventions to reduce SSI across the perioperative period of elective colorectal surgery. To determine which perioperative interventions are effective in reducing SSI following elective colorectal surgery. A systematic search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and Web of Science databases as well as grey literature sources will be performed. Data extraction, risk of bias assessments and narrative synthesis will be performed by a team of trained, independent reviewers. Certainty of evidence will be assessed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations framework. This review will form the most comprehensive assessment to date of measures to reduce SSI following elective colorectal surgery. This will promote the adoption of evidence-based practice and the identification of future research needs.