Reducing Surgical Site Infections During Otolaryngology Surgical Missions

To determine what measures an otolaryngology-head and neck surgery team might adopt to decrease the incidence of surgical site infection (SSI) on a short-term surgical mission. Despite concerns about safety and efficacy, short-term surgical missions remain the predominant structure for humanitarian surgical care in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). Hospitals in high-income countries strive to improve surgical outcomes through implementation of World Health Organization (WHO) safe surgery guidelines. Reduction of SSI risk is a key part of this effort.

Literature review and practical experience.

WHO recommendations for reducing SSI are based largely on research done in the North America and Europe. LMIC populations are younger; comorbidities are fewer; infectious disease and trauma are prevalent; and delays in access to care are common. SSI are much more frequent in resource-limited settings. Recommendations regarding preoperative assessment, operating room environment, instrument sterilization, surgical antibiotic prophylaxis, surgical site preparation, gloving, draping, and postsurgical care are reviewed in the context of a surgical mission at a typical LMIC government hospital.

Many of the WHO guidelines on reduction of SSI are logical and applicable to the short-term surgical missions; others may need to be modified. Careful prospective data collection and clinical trials are needed to learn which interventions are valid and which should be changed.

5 Laryngoscope, 130:1388-1395, 2020.