Retrospective Analysis of Bacterial Spectrum and Associated Risk Factors in Post-Operative Wound Infection

Introduction Post-Operative wound infection is very interesting for the surgeons since it is considered inevitable in some cases and also very unfortunate. In spite of great sophistication in surgical techniques and recent advances in the microbial studies, the post-Operative wound infection remains to be ever challenging in the daily practice of the surgeon. It is utmost discomfort to the patient, causes delay in resuming work due to disability, decreases the quality of life of the patient and increases financial burden to the patient especially in a resource limited country like ours. This retrospective study conducted in Sharda Hospital, briefly discusses the history and the relevant definition necessary for the discussion of surgical site wound infection, the known postulated risk factors and the profile of causative micro-organisms. Material and Method Hundred cases of laparotomies (emergency and elective) carried out in Sharda Hospital in August 2015 and November 2017 were included in the study and studied retrospectively. Study is based on the clinical observation of the patient. All the patients irrespective of age were included in the study. For the convenience, laparotomy wounds are graded as Grade0-No infection, Grade1-Surgical site erythema, Grade2-Subcutaneus collection, Grade3-Patial burst, Grade4-Complte Burst. Result The incidence of post-operative wound infection was 26%. The percentage of post-operative wound infection increases with the poor nutrition, increasing age, hypo-proteinemia, anaemia, contaminated peritoneum of abdomen, poor chest compliance. The rate of post-operative wound infection is directly proportional to the duration of surgery, longer stay in the hospital. Deranged liver function and kidney function lead to increase incidence of post-operative wound infection. The rate of post-operative wound infection is less in cases where the gastro-intestinal tract was not opened. The most common Infecting organism found was Escheria coli.