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Infection after abdominal surgery: five year prospective study
British Medical Journal (Clinical Research Ed.)
|January 28, 1984
Abstract:
A total of 1504 consecutive abdominal operations were studied prospectively over a five year period. The incidence of wound (2.8%) and intraperitoneal (0.8%) infections was low compared with contemporary reports. It is difficult to justify modifying existing practice on the basis of small controlled clinical trials when information from accurate audit discloses results superior to those of experimental studies.
Insights
This surgical audit found low infection rates in abdominal operations. Accurate audits provide superior results compared to small clinical trials, questioning practice modifications.
Area of Science:
- Surgical outcomes and infection control.
- Clinical audit and evidence-based practice.
Background:
- Postoperative infection rates are a significant concern in abdominal surgery.
- Existing surgical practices are often debated, with modifications proposed based on clinical trials.
Purpose of the Study:
- To prospectively audit infection rates following abdominal operations.
- To compare audit findings with results from controlled clinical trials.
- To evaluate the justification for modifying surgical practices based on trial data.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study of 1504 consecutive abdominal operations over five years.
- Data collection focused on wound and intraperitoneal infection incidence.
- Comparison of observed infection rates with published data from clinical trials.
Main Results:
- Low incidence of wound infections (2.8%) and intraperitoneal infections (0.8%) was observed.
- These rates were lower than those reported in contemporary studies.
- Audit data revealed outcomes superior to those from experimental studies.
Conclusions:
- Routine surgical audits can provide reliable data on infection rates.
- High-quality audit data may offer superior evidence compared to small clinical trials.
- Modifying established surgical practices requires strong justification beyond limited trial results.