A Five-Year Trend Assessment of Surgical Site Infections and Risk Factors in a Tertiary Orthopedic Center

International Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences | Vol. 12, No. 4, April 2022 | pp. 25–32

DOI: 10.46882/2022/IJMMS/120025

Original Research Article

A Five-Year Trend Assessment of Surgical Site Infections and Risk Factors in a Tertiary Orthopedic Center

Blessing N. Chukwu¹, Patrick E. Lawson², Evelyn M. Kamau¹*

¹Department of Surgery, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

²Department of Community Health, College of Health Sciences, Moi University, Eldoret, Kenya.

Abstract:

Surgical site infections (SSIs) significantly increase morbidity, healthcare costs, and duration of hospital stay in orthopedic surgery. This retrospective institutional study analyzed the five-year trend (2017–2021) and specific clinical risk factors associated with SSIs following major open orthopedic procedures. Data from 1,120 patient files were extracted and evaluated according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) criteria for SSIs. Out of the 1,120 surgical procedures reviewed, 68 cases of confirmed SSIs were identified, yielding an overall incidence rate of 6.07%. The annual trend showed a progressive rise from 4.8% in 2017 to 7.4% in 2021. Superficial incisional SSIs were the most frequent (52.9%), followed by deep incisional (32.4%) and organ/space infections (14.7%). Staphylococcus aureus was the predominant bacterial pathogen isolated (41.2%), with 35.7% of these strains confirmed as methicillin-resistant (MRSA). Multivariate logistic regression modeling demonstrated that an operative duration > 180 minutes (OR = 3.4, 95% CI = 1.8–6.4, p < 0.01), pre-existing diabetes mellitus (OR = 2.8, 95% CI = 1.3–5.9, p < 0.01), and a preoperative hospital stay > 5 days (OR = 2.1, p < 0.05) were independent predictors of SSI development. The rising trend of SSIs in orthopedic procedures highlights the need for strict adherence to perioperative preventive bundles. Optimizing operating room traffic, minimizing surgical duration, and ensuring timely administration of prophylactic antibiotics are crucial clinical interventions.

Keywords: Surgical Site Infection, Orthopedic Surgery, Staphylococcus aureus, Risk Factors, Retrospective Study, Operating Room

Manuscript Timeline: Received: January 08, 2022; Revised: February 14, 2022; Accepted: March 10, 2022; Published: April 14, 2022.

Citation: Chukwu BN, Lawson PE, Kamau EM. A Five-Year Trend Assessment of Surgical Site Infections and Risk Factors in a Tertiary Orthopedic Center. International Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences, 2022, 12(4): 25–32. DOI: 10.46882/2022/IJMMS/120025

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