Prevalence and risk factors of surgical site infection in patients with trauma

Introduction
Surgical site infections (SSI) remain one of the most common postoperative complications, significantly affecting patient outcomes and healthcare costs. Identifying modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors is essential for effective prevention. The aim was to determine the prevalence of SSI in a trauma clinic of accident surgery and to assess risk factors related to the SSI risk score.

Material and methods
Data were collected from patients undergoing surgical procedures at a trauma clinic of accident surgery. This is a prospective observational study. Occurrence of surgical site infections was monitored using haemodialysis access-induced distal ischaemia technology. Patient-related factors (gender, age, nutritional status, obesity, and smoking), diagnosis, and surgical determinants (urgency of operation, wound condition, American Society of Anesthesiologists classification, anaesthesia type, and operative duration) were analysed for SSI prevalence. Statistical analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 26.0 with Fisher’s exact test at a significance level of p < 0.05.

Results
The prevalence of SSI during the study period was 4.8%, exceeding commonly reported rates of 0.5–3%. Surgical determinants were found to have a more pronounced influence on SSI occurrence, with urgent procedures and prehospital injury-related contaminated wounds being identified as key contributors to an increased risk.

Conclusions
The study confirmed the multifactorial nature of SSI development in trauma patients. Surgery-related factors had a more significant influence on SSI occurrence, with urgent procedures and contaminated wounds identified as key contributors to the increased risk. Optimizing nutritional status, quitting smoking, and strictly adhering to infection prevention protocols are essential for reducing SSI rates. Preventive strategies should focus on high-risk patients undergoing urgent procedures.