Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 7, 2026
Surgical Technique for the Implantation of Tissue Engineered Vascular Grafts and Subsequent In Vivo Monitoring
Published on: April 3, 2015
Surgical wound infections after vascular surgery: prospective multicenter observational study
J Turtiainen1, E Saimanen, T Partio
1Department of Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, North Karelia Central Hospital, Joensuu, Finland. johanna.turtiainen@pkssk.fi
Background And Aims:
this multicenter prospective observational study defined the incidence and risk factors of surgical wound infections (SWI) after infrarenal aortic and lower limb vascular surgery procedures and evaluated the severity and costs of these infections.
Methods:
the study cohort comprised of 184 consecutive patients. Postoperative complications were recorded. The additional costs attributable to SWI were calculated.
Results:
Eighty-four (46%) patients had critical ischaemia, 81 (45%) patients underwent infrainguinal bypass surgery and 64 (35%) received vascular prosthesis or prosthetic patch. Forty-nine (27%) patients developed SWI. Staphylococcus aureus was the leading pathogen cultured from the wound. Forty-seven of the 49 infected wounds responded to and healed with the treatment. SWI was the cause of one major amputation. Independent predictors for SWI were infrainguinal surgery (OR 7.2, 95% Cl 2.92-17.65, p < 0.001), obesity (OR 6.1, 95% Cl 2.44-15.16, p < 0.001) and arteriography injection site within the operative area (OR 2.5, 95% Cl 1.13-5.48, p = 0.02). The average cost attributable to SWI was 3320 Ä.
Conclusion:
the incidence of SWI after vascular surgery is high. The risk factors for SWI are infrainguinal surgery, obesity and arteriography injection site within the operative area. SWI increases morbidity and costs of operative treatment.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Varicose Veins II: Diagnostic Studies and Interprofessional Care
01:23Peripheral Artery Disease V: Postoperative Nursing Management
01:21Inflammatory Bowel Disease V: Surgical Management
Here are some common surgical interventions for IBD:
01:26Healthcare Associated Infections I: Iatrogenic, Exogenic and Endogenic
HAIs significantly increase the cost of health care. Extended stays in healthcare institutions, increased disability, increased costs of medications, including specialized antibiotics, and prolonged recovery times add to the patient's expenses and the healthcare institution and funding bodies. Common...
01:22Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures
The best practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections include hand hygiene, patient risk...
01:26Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin create...