Surgical site infections in orthopaedic surgeries: incidence and risk factors at tertiary care hospital of South India

Background: Health care associated infections (HAI) are infections that patients acquire while receiving medical care and are one of the most adverse events during health care delivery. Among the HAI surgical site infections [SSI] ranks the second among surgery patients. The present study aims to identify the risk factors, incidence and also to set the strategies required to prevent the development of SSI in orthopaedic surgeries primarily. Methods: A one year prospective study was conducted with a follow up of cases for one year post surgery in orthopaedic department. Cases that had undergone surgery were followed for development of SSI with a detailed demographic history, risk factor details after ethical committee approval. The data was analyzed using Statistical Package Social Sciences software 16 package (Chicago, USA). Results: The incidence of SSI was 6.5% with males 61% and females 39% with mean age of 34.12±8.01 years. In our present significant statistical correlation was observed with SSI and associated risk factors which include, Increased age, BMI >25, administration of prophylactic antibiotic’s, multiple fractures (>2 in number), contaminated wound, presence of drain at surgical site and blood transfusion. Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus was the most common isolated pathogen (48.4%). Conclusions: The occurrence of SSI was higher in orthopaedic surgery than general surgeries. So our study clearly indicates that increased age, increased duration of surgery, increased hospitalization post-surgery, placement of drain at surgical site and blood transfusion are significant risk factors in development of SSI in orthopaedic surgeries.