SURGICAL SITE INFECTIONS: EPIDEMIOLOGY, RISK FACTORS, AND EVIDENCE-BASED PREVENTION STRATEGIES
Keywords:
surgery, prevention, environmental factors, risk factors, methodology, complicationAbstract
Surgical site infections (SSIs) remain one of the most common complications following surgical procedures, leading to increased morbidity, prolonged hospital stays, and elevated healthcare costs. This article provides a comprehensive review of the epidemiology of SSIs and evidence-based strategies for prevention. Using a structured literature review methodology, studies from peer-reviewed journals published between 2010 and 2025 were analyzed to assess SSI prevalence, risk factors, common pathogens, and preventive measures. The findings highlight that SSIs are influenced by patient-related, procedure-related, and environmental factors. Effective prevention strategies include perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis, strict adherence to aseptic techniques, preoperative patient optimization, and post-operative care protocols. Continuous education and institutional infection control policies are essential for reducing SSI incidence and improving patient outcomes.
References
Allegranzi, B., et al. (2016). Global prevalence of surgical site infections: a systematic review and meta-analysis. The Lancet Infectious Diseases, 16(12), 1397–1406.
Darouiche, R. O., et al. (2010). Chlorhexidine–Alcohol versus Povidone–Iodine for Surgical-Site Antisepsis. New England Journal of Medicine, 362, 18–26.
de Lissovoy, G., et al. (2009). Surgical site infection: incidence and impact on hospital utilization and treatment costs. American Journal of Infection Control, 37(5), 387–397.
Haque, M., et al. (2018). Surgical site infections in developing countries: Epidemiology, prevention, and management. Journal of Infection and Public Health, 11(1), 1–8.
Mangram, A. J., et al. (1999). Guideline for prevention of surgical site infection, 1999. Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology, 20(4), 250–278.
