Surgical site infection after trochanteric and subtrochanteric fractures: a single centre retrospective analysis

Surgical site infection (SSI) following osteosynthesis of trochanteric or subtrochanteric fractures is a rare but serious complication with incidence rate ranging from 1 to 3%. SSIs are associated with higher mortality and increased length of hospital stay resulting in higher healthcare costs and loss of life quality. In this retrospective analysis all patients with SSI following osteosynthesis of trochanteric or subtrochanteric fractures at the Department of Trauma Surgery were identified. We included all surgical procedures performed from 1992 to 2018, using data from electronic health records and SSI-Trauma-Registry. The aim was to describe epidemiological data, as well as to identify parameters correlating with the occurrence of SSI and mortality. Of 2753 patients, 53 (1.9%) developed SSI. Longer operative time was demonstrated among patients with SSI (P = 0.008). Mortality during the first postoperative year was significantly higher in the SSI group (32.1% vs. 19.1%; P = 0.018), with detection of methicillin-sensitive (MSSA) and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA; HR 4.13, CI 95% 1.24-13.80; P = 0.021) or Enterococcus spp. (HR 5.58, CI 95% 1.67-18.65; P = 0.005) being independent risk factors. Male sex (HR 2.25, 95% CI 1.86-2.73; P < 0.001) and higher mean age (HR 1.05, 95% CI 1.04-1.06; P < 0.001) were found to be predictors for 1-year mortality in non-infected patients. SSI rate was low with 1.9% and longer duration of surgery was associated with infection. Patients with SSI had a higher 1-year mortality, with detection of MSSA, MRSA and enterococci significantly increasing the risk of dying. Male sex and higher age were risk factors for one-year mortality in patients without SSI.