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Modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors for surgical site infection after colorectal surgery: a single-center experience

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Abstract

Purpose

Surgical site infection (SSI) is the most common complication of colorectal surgery, resulting in significant burden in terms of morbidity and length of hospital stay. The aims of this study were to establish the incidence of SSI in patients undergoing colorectal surgeries and to identify potentially modifiable risk factors to reduce overall SSI rates.

Methods

This retrospective study analyzed patients who underwent colorectal resection at our Department. Patients were identified using a prospective SSI database. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to identify risk factors.

Results

A total of 687 patients were enrolled in the study and the overall SSI rate was 19.9% (137 patients). Superficial incisional surgical site infections (SSSIs) developed in 52 (7.6%) patients, deep incisional surgical site infections (DSSIs) developed in 15 (2.2%), and organ/space infections (OSIs) developed in 70 (10.1%). Univariate and multivariate analyses confirmed that age, diabetes, emergency surgery, and a high infection risk index are risk factors for SSI.

Conclusions

There are some modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors for SSI. IRI and age are non-modifiable, whereas the timing of surgery and diabetes can be modulated by trying to defer some emergency procedures to elective ones and normalizing the glycemia of diabetic patients.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of General Surgery, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Hospital of Cattinara, University of Trieste, Strada di Fiume 447, 34149, Trieste, Italy

    Marta Silvestri, Chiara Dobrinja, Serena Scomersi, Fabiola Giudici, Angelo Turoldo, Elija Princic, Nicolò de Manzini & Marina Bortul

  2. Division of Infective Diseases, ASUITS and University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy

    Roberto Luzzati

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  1. Marta Silvestri
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  2. Chiara Dobrinja
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  3. Serena Scomersi
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  4. Fabiola Giudici
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Correspondence to Marta Silvestri.

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We declare no conflicts of interest in relation to this study.

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Silvestri, M., Dobrinja, C., Scomersi, S. et al. Modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors for surgical site infection after colorectal surgery: a single-center experience. Surg Today 48, 338–345 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00595-017-1590-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00595-017-1590-y

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