Clinical Predictive Score for Cholecystectomy Wound Infection: WEBAC Score

Area of Science:

• Surgical outcomes research
• Infectious disease epidemiology
• Medical device innovation

Background:

• Surgical site infections (SSIs) are a significant complication following cholecystectomy.
• Identifying predictive factors for SSIs is crucial for patient management.
• Existing risk assessment tools may lack comprehensive predictive capabilities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify factors associated with SSIs within 30 days post-cholecystectomy.
• To develop and validate a scoring system for predicting SSIs after cholecystectomy.
• To enhance surgeon awareness and proactive management of SSIs.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 949 cholecystectomy patients from January 2015 to December 2019.
• SSI definition followed CDC criteria, with assessment before discharge and 1-month follow-up.
• Development of the WEBAC (Wound, ERCP, Bag, Age, Cigarette) score based on independent predictors.

Main Results:

• The overall SSI rate was 3% (28 out of 949 patients).
• Independent predictors for SSI included age ≥ 60, smoking history, no retrieval bag use, preoperative ERCP, and wound class III/IV.
• The WEBAC score effectively indicated the probability of SSIs in cholecystectomy wounds.

Conclusions:

• The WEBAC score is a simple and practical tool for predicting SSIs after cholecystectomy.
• This scoring system can improve surgeons' vigilance regarding postoperative SSIs.
• Implementing the WEBAC score may lead to better patient outcomes and reduced healthcare costs.