Post-operative wound infection in thoracic patients: a preliminary report

A retrospective study of 37 patients undergoing pulmonary resection, between 1975 and 1980, was performed to establish the incidence of wound infection and to determine contributory factors. Sixteen patients had suppurative lung disease while 11 had pulmonary tuberculosis. The majority of the patients received prophylactic antibiotic (Ampicillin and Cloxacillin) given intramuscularly or intravenously, prior to thoracotomy, and continued for several days post-operatively. Twenty of the 37 cases (54%) developed wound infection, defined as any purulent wound drainage in the post-operative period. The patients with infection (group A) did not differ from those without (group B) as regards presence of pyorrhoea or haemoptysis, the duration of operation or the quantity of blood infused during surgery. A significant difference in the duration of chest intubation was identified between group A (6 +/- 1.3 days) and group B (3 +/- 1.5 days) (P less than 0.001). The implication of the results towards the modification of post-operative management of patients is discussed.