Surgical Site Infections: A Study of Incidence and Risk Factors in Abdominal Surgeries

Background: One of the most significant causes of healthcare-associated infections, which result in significant morbidity, death, and high costs to the health care system, is surgical site infections (SSI).  
Aim: This research aims to examine SSI incidence and risk variables after abdominal operations.
Methods: This was a prospective case series study, descriptive type, for (70) cases divided into 2 categories: 40 cases of elective abdominal surgeries and 30 cases of emergency abdominal surgeries.
Results: SSI incidence was nil among the age group 10:20 years old. On the other hand, it was highest among the age group 51:60 years with incidence of 50%. There was a gradual increase of SSI incidence with advancement of age. SSI occurrence was found to be higher in cigarette smokers to nonsmokers (26.7% to 10.9%), also it was higher in tramadol abusers to free patients (13.3% to 1.8%).
Conclusion: In our study, diabetes, smoking and advancement in age had a great impact on the incidence of SSI in abdominal operations. Incidence of SSI is higher in emergency surgeries and in class II wounds.