Risk factors for surgical site infections after elective gastrectomy

The aim of this study was to identify the risk factors for surgical site infections (SSIs) after elective gastrectomy.

This study reviewed the medical records of 842 patients who underwent elective gastrectomy. Multivariate analyses were performed to determine the risk factors for SSIs.

Superficial incisional, deep incisional, and organ/space SSIs were detected in 50 (5.9%) patients, 2 (0.2%) patients, and 90 (10.7%) patients, respectively. A multivariate analysis demonstrated that female gender (p = 0.0332) and allogenic blood transfusion (p = 0.0266) were independent predictors for superficial incisional SSIs, while a male gender (p = 0.0355), corticosteroid therapy (p = 0.037), total gastrectomy (p < 0.0001), and a duration of operation ≥300 min (p = 0.0062) were independent predictors for organ/space SSIs. The median length of postoperative hospital stay was significantly longer in patients with organ/space SSIs in comparison to those without SSIs (p < 0.0001) and with superficial incisional SSIs (p < 0.0001). The patients with organ/space SSIs had a significantly higher re-operation rate in comparison to those without SSIs (p < 0.0001).

The risk factors both for incisional SSIs and for organ/space SSIs are strongly associated with surgical results. Meticulous surgical techniques are therefore required to prevent SSIs.