Abstract:
Surgical site infections (SSIs) remain one of the most common and challenging
complications following both open and laparoscopic surgical procedures, representing
a significant burden to healthcare systems worldwide. Despite advances in surgical
techniques, perioperative care, and antimicrobial prophylaxis, SSIs continue to affect
approximately 2-5% of patients undergoing clean extra-abdominal operations and up
to 20% of patients undergoing intra-abdominal procedures, with considerable
variation depending on the type of surgery, patient risk factors, and the criteria used
for defining infection.
These infections are associated with prolonged hospitalization, increased healthcare
costs, additional surgical interventions, and in some cases, life-threatening
complications leading to significant morbidity and mortality. The economic impact of
SSIs is substantial, with studies estimating that each SSI adds an average of 7-10
additional hospital days and approximately $20,000-$30,000 in extra costs per
patient.1 The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has established SSIs
as the most common healthcare-associated infection, accounting for 31% of all
nosocomial infections among hospitalized patients, highlighting the magnitude of this
problem in modern surgical practice.
