Incisional surgical site infections after colorectal surgery: time to appraise its true incidence

Surgical site infections (SSI) are the leading cause of complications in surgical patients. For colorectal surgery the reported incidence of SSI varies between 10 and 15%. This incidence however, has been challenged recently. In this study, we evaluated the incidence of incisional SSI after colorectal surgery in our department.

We performed a retrospective analysis of 115 non-laparoscopic colorectal resections between July 1st 2004 and July 31st 2005. After exclusion, 101 patients were retained. Demographic, clinical and operative variables were collected. Univariable and multivariable analysis were performed to identify risk factors for the development of incisional SSI.

21 SSI were diagnosed (20.7%). Seventeen cases were incisional SSI (16.8%). Multivariable analysis identified longer operation time (p = 0.014), pre-operative obstructive lung disease (p = 0.02) and fewer postoperative days on TPN (p = 0.04) as independent predictors of incisional SSI.

In comparison with recent publications, the incidence of SSI in our series was higher compared to what is generally reported.