Surgical Site Infections: Prospective Study in a Medical College Teaching Hospital at Port Blair, India

Surgical site infections (SSIs) continue to be a prevalent and pervasive issue, contributing to healthcare expenditures, extended hospital stays, and significantly increased morbidity and death. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the risk factors and prevalence of SSIs amongst patients undergoing various surgical procedures at a tertiary care facility in Port Blair, India.

This prospective study was conducted at a tertiary medical college hospital setting in Port Blair, India, within the Department of Microbiology. The study was conducted from January 2018 to June 2018.

During the study period, 776 individuals underwent various surgeries, including both elective and emergency procedures. The total prevalence of the SSI rate during the study period was 12.88% (n = 776) based on the documentation of approximately 100 SSIs. Amongst these, 44% were associated with obstetrics and gynaecology surgery. The category of post-lower segment caesarean section (LSCS) stitch line had the greatest prevalence rate of SSIs (34 patients out of 175 developed infections; LSCS approximately 19.42% of these patients developed SSIs).

In Indian adult patients undergoing any form of surgical procedure, the SSI prevalence was 12.88%. SSIs occurred more frequently after obstetrics and gynaecology operations. Following any type of surgery, patients who are women, younger, had emergency surgery, have diabetes, and require a lengthy hospital stay are more likely to experience SSIs. The most commonly encountered pathogens were Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase negative Staphylococcus.