International Journal of Contemporary Surgery
  • Year: 2016
  • Volume: 4
  • Issue: 1

Risk Factors for Post-caesarean Surgical Site Infection

1Consultant & Associate Professor, Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Vardhman Mahavir Medical College & Safdarjung Hospital

2Postgraduate Student, Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Vardhman Mahavir Medical College & Safdarjung Hospital

3Consultant, Professor & Head of Microbiology Department, Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Vardhman Mahavir Medical College & Safdarjung Hospital

4Consultant & Professor, Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Vardhman Mahavir Medical College & Safdarjung Hospital

5Assistant Professor, Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Vardhman Mahavir Medical College & Safdarjung Hospital

*Corresponding author-Dr Renu Arora, Consultant & Associate Professor, Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Vardhman Mahavir Medical College & Safdarjung Hospital E-mail: renuarora2010@yahoo.co.in

Online published on 18 February, 2016.

Abstract

To study the risk factors predisposing to post caesarean surgical site infection (SSI).

A prospective cohort comprising 600 consecutive women undergoing caesarean delivery at a tertiary care hospital was recruited. All patients were managed as per hospital protocol. They were followed up for SSI up to 30 days following surgery and reviewed on day 10 and day 30 for presence of excessive pain at incision site, indurations and soakage. The patient and care related risk factors associated with SSI were evaluated.

Overall infection rate was 14.1%. Infection was superficial in 82 cases (96. 5%) and deep in 3 cases (3.5%). Age, BMI at the time of caesarean section (CS), duration of rupture of membrane, thickness of subcutaneous fat, number of vaginal examinations, blood sugar and post-operative blood transfusion were significantly associated with SSI. Commonest organism (69.4%) isolated from the wound discharge was MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staph aureus).

BMI, duration of rupture of membranes, subcutaneous fat thickness, number of vaginal examinations and blood sugar are potentially modifiable risk factors associated with SSI.

Keywords

Caesarean section, surgical site infection, risk factors