Determining Incidence of Surgical Site Infections Following Colorectal Surgery and Associated Risk Factors in a Referral and Educational Hospital in Gorgan, Northern Iran

Background and objectives: Surgical site infection (SSI) after colorectal surgery and its negative clinical outcomes remain significant problems.This study aimed to determine the incidence of SSI after colorectal surgery and associated risk factors in the 5 Azar Hospital of Gorgan, Iran.Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed on patients undergoing emerging or elective colorectal surgeries from 2011 to 2019 in the 5 Azar Hospital of Gorgan, Iran.The subjects were followed up for 30 days.Data were collected through pre and postoperative examinations and telephone follow-ups.Univariate analyses were performed to identify risk factors.Results: A total of 240 patients were enrolled in the study, and the overall SSI incidence rate was 23.3% (56 patients).Univariate analyses indicated that corticosteroids use [risk ratio (RR)=3, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.62-5.54],segmental resection with anastomosis (RR=2.28,95% CI: 1.12-4.63),anemia (RR=4.52,95% CI: 3.11-6.59),diabetics (RR=2.68,95% CI: 1.73-4.14),and opium use (RR=1.87,95% CI: 1.17-2.99)were risk factors for SSI.Conclusion: Based on our findings, the incidence of SSI after colorectal surgery is relatively high in the study area, which requires tailored approaches and careful reconsideration of the whole operation procedure.Moreover, the use of corticosteroids, type of intervention, anemia, diabetes, and opium use may be associated with the incidence of SSI after colorectal surgery.Therefore, cases with such a profile should be closely monitored after the surgery.