Risk factors for surgical site infection in patients after implant-related orthopedic procedures

Surgical site infections (SSIs) in patients undergoing orthopedic surgeries limit the success of the treatment, and implant-related infections are considered one of the most difficult complications for treatment (1). Controlling the SSI risk factors opens an opportunity for proper assessment of the risk of SSI and how difficult it can be to avoid infection.

Determination of factors associated with the risk of surgical site infection in patients undergoing orthopedic surgery.

The work is based on a retrospective analysis of medical records of 4,314 patients undergoing orthopedic surgery in the traumatology and orthopedic surgery department of the City Hospital in Zabrze in 2014-2017.

Surgical site infection has been diagnosed in 187 (4.3%) patients. A number of significant predictors of SSI have been revealed: body mass index with a 9% increase in the risk of SSI for each increase in BMI by 5kg/m2, positive history of orthopedic and non-orthopedic procedures in the past, with an increase in risk by 32% and 14%, respectively, waiting time in the ward for surgery, with an increase in the risk of SSI by 19% for each extension of hospitalization by 5 days, planned procedure and implantation endoprosthesis compared to osteosynthesis increased the risk by 15% and 9%, respectively. The only significant factor reducing the risk of SSI was the increased consumption of hand disinfectant. Here, for every 10 ml of increased consumption of this preparation, the risk of SSI was reduced by 28%.

1. The SSI risk is related to both factors that can be modified and factors that cannot be changed. 2. Promotion of hand disinfection among hospital staff should become a priority in the prevention of nosocomial infections in every healthcare facility.