Post operative wound infection: a descriptive study

Background: Surgical site infections is the third most commonly reported nosocomial infection which has an adverse impact on the hospital as well as the patient. This study was designed to evaluate the frequency, clinical presentation, common risk factors and different organisms involved. Methods: This study was performed at NRI Medical college, Chinnakakani. This is an Observational descriptive study over a period of one year from September 2022 to September 2023. Biodata of the patients together with their clinical features, diagnosis, type of surgery performed and the development of any complications including wound infection was noted and the data analyzed. Results: Out of 1509 patients in the study, 1101 belonged to obstetrics and 408 to gynaecology surgery. The overall incidence of surgical site infection in the study was 7.9%; 86 (7.8%) in obstetrics group and 33 (8%) in gynaecology group developed infection. Age more than 50 years was found to be a risk factor for postoperative wound infection. Obesity is known to be a well-established risk factor for postoperative wound infection. It was noted that surgical site infection was more common in patients that had low haemoglobin levels pre-operatively. The increased susceptibility to infection in diabetics is an established risk factor. Conclusions: Meticulous surgical technique, proper sterilization, judicious use of antibiotics, improvement of ward environments, control of malnutrition and obesity, treatment of infective foci and diseases like diabetes helps control the morbidity of surgical wound infections.