The surgical site infection following gastrointestinal surgery: a study in Sir Salimullah medical college and Mitford hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Background: Purpose of the study is to find out the causative factors, the bacteriological etiology of surgical site infection (SSI) following gastrointestinal surgery and formulate effective treatment protocol that will reduce the burden of SSI and its treatment cost. Methods: This case control study was carried out in the surgical wards of SSMC and MH Dhaka form January 2009 to December 2009 to explore the probable causative factors, causative organisms for SSI following gastrointestinal surgery. Purposive sampling was done. Results: A total of 122 patients were taken as sample. Out of 122 patients, elective surgery was done in 28 (22.95%) patients and emergency surgery was done in 94 (77.05%) patients. Emergency surgery was significantly associated with SSI (OR=0.38; p<0.03). The mean age of case group was 41.16+13.85 and control group was 39.72±13.82. Maximum number of patients fall into 4th and 5th decade of life. Out of 122 patients 41 (33.61%) were smoker and smoking was significantly associated with SSI (OR=1.45; p=0.44). Blood picture showed total 43 (35.25%) patients were anaemic out of 122. Out of 43 anaemic patients 28 in the case group and anaemia was significantly associated with SSI (OR=2.60; p<0.02). Site of operation that is upper or lower GIT was not significantly associated with SSI (OR 0.86; p=0.84). Length of operation of more than 2 hours was found to be significantly associated with SSI (OR 0.48; p<0.04). Dirty wound was found to be significantly associated with SSI (OR=2.86; p<0.009). Most of the SSI occurred superficial incisional 54.1% followed by deep incisional 45.9%. Conclusions: E. coli was the most common causative organism 54.1% and amikacin, ceftazidime, ceftriaxone, imipenem were sensitive to E. coli.