Comparison of SSI Rates between Cesarean Sections and General Surgical Procedures

Abstract

Background: Surgical site infection is one of the most frequently occurring post-operative complications that is associated with increased treatment cost, delayed patient recovery, morbidity and increased hospital stay. Post-operative wound infection is a risk for both cesarean sections and general surgery, but the incidence or risk factors for these infections may vary based on patient factors, wound contamination, emergency surgery, and procedure length.

Objective: To compare the frequency of surgical site infections between cesarean sections and general surgical procedures.

Material and Methods: This comparative observational study was carried out at Saidu Teaching Hospital, Saidu Sharif, Swat and HBS Medical and Dental College during the period May 2023 to August 2023. The total number of patients included was 82 (41 cesarean section and 41 general surgical procedures). Demographic, clinical, operative, and postoperative data were collected. Surgical site infection was clinically evaluated and defined as superficial incisional, deep incisional or organ/space infection. Clinically indicated wound cultures were performed. Analysis of data was conducted using SPSS and a p-value of <0.05 was deemed as statistically significant.

Results: The overall surgical site infection rate was 17.1%. SSI was observed in 5 patients in the cesarean section group and 9 patients in the general surgery group, giving infection rates of 12.2% and 22.0%, respectively. Although SSI was more frequent among general surgical patients, the difference was not statistically significant. Superficial incisional SSI was the most common type of infection. Emergency surgery, operative duration of more than 60 minutes, contaminated or dirty wound class, delayed antibiotic prophylaxis, and hospital stay of more than five days were significantly associated with SSI development. The most frequently isolated organisms were Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella species.

Conclusion: Surgical site infection was more common after general surgical procedures than cesarean sections, although the difference was not statistically significant. Strengthening infection control practices, timely antibiotic prophylaxis, careful operative technique, and regular postoperative wound surveillance may help reduce SSI rates in both surgical groups.

Keywords: Surgical site infection, cesarean section, general surgery, wound infection, antibiotic prophylaxis, postoperative complications