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Published on: February 9, 2011
Incidence and risk factors of surgical wound infection in children: a prospective study
K Varik1, U Kirsimägi, E A Värimäe
1Tartu University Department of Surgery, Tartu, Estonia. karin.varik@kliinikum.ee
Insights
The incidence of surgical site infection (SSI) in pediatric surgery patients was 1.2%. Risk factors included contaminated wounds and operation-related complications, highlighting the need for infection control in pediatric surgical care.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Infectious Disease Epidemiology
- Wound Healing
Background:
- Surgical site infections (SSIs) are a significant concern in pediatric surgery.
- Understanding the incidence and risk factors for SSIs is crucial for improving patient outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence of surgical site infections (SSIs) in children undergoing surgery.
- To identify risk factors associated with SSIs in a pediatric surgical population.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 589 pediatric surgical cases over two years.
- Classification of operations (general surgical, orthopaedic, urological) and wound types (clean, clean-contaminated, contaminated, dirty-infected).
- Statistical analysis (univariate and multivariate) to identify risk factors for SSI.
Main Results:
- The overall incidence of SSI was 1.2% (7 cases).
- Superficial wound infections occurred in 5 cases, deep infections in 2.
- SSIs were significantly higher in contaminated/dirty-infected wounds (7.8%) compared to clean/clean-contaminated (0.6%) and in cases with operation-related complications (11.1%).
Conclusions:
- The incidence of SSI in this pediatric surgery cohort is low.
- Wound contamination and the presence of surgical complications are significant risk factors for SSI in children.
- Adherence to infection control protocols is vital in pediatric surgical procedures.
Background And Aims:
to establish the incidence and risk factors of surgical site infection (SSI) in children operated in the Department of Paediatric Surgery of the Clinic of Surgery of Tartu University Hospital.
Material And Methods:
the data of wound healing were obtained for 589 children operated between 15 March 2003 and 31 March 2005. The operations were divided into general surgical (451), orthopaedic (70) and urological (68). The surgical wounds were classified as clean (442), clean-contaminated (96), contaminated (36) and dirty-infected (15). Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify risk factors.
Results:
There were 7 SSI cases, overall rate being 1.2%. Superficial wound infection occurred in 5 cases and deep wound infection occurred in 2 cases. There was no organ/space infection. SSI was significantly more frequent in the case of contaminated and dirty-infected compared with clean or clean-contaminated operations, 7.8% and 0.6%, respectively (p = 0.0008). Wound infection endangered more children who had operation related complications compared with non-complicated cases, 11.1% and 0.4%, respectively (p < 0.0001).
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