RISK FACTORS AND PREVENTION STRATEGIES FOR SURGICAL SITE INFECTION
A NARRATIVE LITERATURE REVIEW
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.65577/rs.v1i1.21Keywords:
Antibiotic prophylaxis, negative pressure wound therapy, disease prevention, risk factors, surgical wound infectionAbstract
Surgical site infection (SSI) is a significant postoperative complication associated with increased morbidity and hospital costs. Its development is linked to factors such as the patient’s clinical condition, procedural characteristics, and the adequacy of prophylactic measures. Investigating risk factors and prevention strategies are essential to reduce its incidence. This is a narrative review based on articles published in the last ten years in the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases. Clinical, randomized,
and observational studies analyzing risk factors, interventions, and prevention strategies were included.
SSI is more prevalent in low-HDI countries. Risk factors include obesity, diabetes, immunosuppression, advanced age, smoking, and inadequate surgical techniques. The main etiological agents are gram-negative bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Antibiotic prophylaxis, combining oral and intravenous routes, reduced SSI rates from 14.4% to 3.4%. Technologies such as
negative pressure therapy, wound edge protectors, strict surgical room hygiene, and a multidisciplinary approach have proven effective. Antimicrobial prophylaxis, preoperative preparation, and adherence to structured protocols are essential to prevent SSIs, highlighting the importance of new technologies and integrated strategies.
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