What question did this study set out to answer?

The study aims to investigate factors influencing the incidence of surgical site infections following elective colorectal surgeries.

July 2, 2026Open Access

Factors Affecting Surgical Site Infections in Elective Colorectal Surgeries: An Observational Study

VVVishesh VashishthaCommand Hospital Air Force KJKshitij JyotiArmed Forces Medical College ALAbhijit LalCommand Hospital Air Force

Key Points

The study aims to investigate factors influencing the incidence of surgical site infections following elective colorectal surgeries.
Observational study conducted on 50 patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery.
Patients were treated at a tertiary care Armed Forces hospital over a two-year period from October 2020 to September 2022.
Statistical analysis was performed to compare body mass index and infection rates.
Overall surgical site infection incidence was 14%, with 12% classified as superficial and 2% as organ-space.
Statistically significant difference in BMI (p-value <0.05) between those who developed SSIs and those who did not.
Highlighting the importance of optimizing BMI as a preventive strategy for reducing infection rates.

Abstract

Background: Surgical site infections (SSIs) lead to significant morbidity and increased mortality across the world.They are a leading cause of increased financial, logistical, and human resource burden on health care providers and institutions.The SSI rates following elective colorectal surgeries have been reported as high as 20%.Multiple strategies have been suggested and experimented with to reduce these numbers; however, not much data are available regarding the effectiveness of these measures in the setting of healthcare systems in developing countries, and most studies focus on developed countries.Aim: To study the factors affecting the incidence of SSI following colorectal surgeries at a tertiary care hospital.Methods: This observational study was conducted on 50 patients (n = 50) undergoing elective colorectal surgery at a tertiary care Armed Forces hospital from October 2020 to September 2022.Results: The overall SSI incidence was 14%, comprising 12% superficial and 2% organ-space.The relevant clinical outcomes and various factors affecting wound healing were studied.There was a statistically significant difference in the BMI (p-value <0.05) of those who developed SSI when compared with those who did not.Conclusion: Higher body mass index (BMI) is an important risk factor for SSI in colorectal surgeries.Preventive strategies aimed at optimizing BMI may reduce infection rates.

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