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Cited by 987Surgical site infection preventionInfection Control in HealthcareOrthopedic Infections and Treatments

Surgical site infections: epidemiology, microbiology and prevention

Owens, C.D., Stoessel, K.·2008·Journal of Hospital Infection
DOI 10.1016/s0195-6701(08)60017-1
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Abstract

Surgical site infections (SSIs) are defined as infections occurring up to 30 days after surgery (or up to one year after surgery in patients receiving implants) and affecting either the incision or deep tissue at the operation site. Despite improvements in prevention, SSIs remain a significant clinical problem as they are associated with substantial mortality and morbidity and impose severe demands on healthcare resources. The incidence of SSIs may be as high as 20%, depending on the surgical procedure, the surveillance criteria used, and the quality of data collection. In many SSIs, the responsible pathogens originate from the patient's endogenous flora. The causative pathogens depend on the type of surgery; the most commonly isolated organisms are Staphylococcus aureus, coagulase-negative staphylococci, Enterococcus spp. and Escherichia coli. Numerous patient-related and procedure-related factors influence the risk of SSI, and hence prevention requires a 'bundle' approach, with systematic attention to multiple risk factors, in order to reduce the risk of bacterial contamination and improve the patient's defences. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines for the prevention of SSIs emphasise the importance of good patient preparation, aseptic practice, and attention to surgical technique; antimicrobial prophylaxis is also indicated in specific circumstances. Emerging technologies, such as microbial sealants, offer the ability to seal and immobilise skin flora for the duration of a surgical procedure; a strong case therefore exists for evaluating such technologies and implementing them into routine clinical practice as appropriate.

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Crossref · 10.1016/s0195-6701(08)60017-1

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  • Prophylactic antibiotics, obesity, and drains have no bearing on the incidence of surgical site infections after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

    “Prophylactic antibiotics, obesity, and drains have no bearing on the incidence of SSIs after laparoscopic cholecystectomy [33,34].”

    From Insights Into Laparoscopic Port Site Complications: A Comprehensive Review (2024) · cites this paper as [33]

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Authors
Owens, C. D., & Stoessel, K.
Affiliations
Kimberly-Clark (United States) (US)
ORCID
Owens, C.D.
Venue
Journal of Hospital Infection
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2008-11
Volume
70
Pages
3-10
ISSN
0195-6701 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/s0195-6701(08)60017-1
OpenAlex
W1993864236
Cited by
987
References
26
Citations by year
2026: 67 · 2025: 79 · 2024: 99 · 2023: 106 · 2022: 80 · 2021: 86 · 2020: 76 · 2019: 54 · 2018: 47 · 2017: 51 · 2016: 50 · 2015: 41 · 2014: 33 · 2013: 31 · 2012: 30
FWCI
19.44
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
www.elsevier.com/tdm/userlicense/1.0/ (tdm)
Locations
  • Journal of Hospital Infection (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Surgery › Surgical site infection prevention
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Infectious Diseases › Infection Control in Healthcare
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Surgery › Orthopedic Infections and Treatments
Keywords
surgical site infection, infection control, epidemiology, microbiology, Staphylococcus aureus, coagulase-negative staphylococci, Enterococcus, Escherichia coli, risk factors, antibiotic prophylaxis, CDC guidelines, aseptic technique, patient preparation, nosocomial infections
MeSH terms
Gram-Negative Bacteria, Gram-Positive Cocci, Humans, Risk Factors, Surgical Wound Infection, Incidence, Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections, Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections, Infection Control, Guidelines as Topic, Antibiotic Prophylaxis

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