Surgical Site Infections in Orthopedic Surgery Patients at a Tertiary Center: A Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study

Background Surgical site infection (SSI) is a significant postoperative complication that increases patient morbidity and mortality, prolongs hospital stay, and imposes an additional financial burden on healthcare systems. Understanding the prevalence of surgical site infection is crucial for implementing preventive strategies and improving patient outcomes. Objective To determine the prevalence of postoperative surgical site infections among orthopedic surgery patients at a tertiary care hospital in Nepal. Method A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology at Dhulikhel Hospital, Kathmandu University Hospital, from March 2023 to February 2024, following ethical approval. All consecutive patients satisfying the inclusion criteria were enrolled in this census study during the study period. Surgical site infections were diagnosed based on the presence of pus or purulent discharge from the surgical wound, associated pain, and any two cardinal signs of inflammation, occurring within 30 days postoperatively. Data were analyzed using point estimates with 95% confidence intervals and frequencies and percentages were calculated for categorical variables. Result Among 1,061 patients included in the study, 32 cases of surgical site infection were identified, resulting in a prevalence of 3.02%. The mean age of patients with surgical site infection was 39.52 ± 18.11 years and the majority of them were male population in adult age (19-64) years group. Conclusion The prevalence of postoperative surgical site infection in orthopedic and trauma surgery at this tertiary care center was comparable to rates reported in similar settings internationally. Continuous strict monitoring strict, aseptic techniques, and timely intervention are essential to reduce surgical site infection incidence and improve patient outcomes.