An observational study of postoperative surgical site infection in abdominal obstetrics and gynecological surgeries in tertiary care set up of south Gujarat

Background: Surgical site infections (SSIs) represent a significant type of healthcare-associated infection, especially following major obstetric and gynecological surgeries. The incidence of SSI varies widely depending on patient health and type of surgery, that impacts hospital resources and patient recovery time. Despite advances in surgical techniques, SSIs remain a major cause of morbidity. This study aimed to investigate risk factors, bacterial patterns, and outcomes associated with postoperative SSIs in obstetric and gynecological surgeries. Methods: Conducted as a prospective observational study over 10 months in the OG department of a tertiary healthcare center in south Gujarat, 50 patients with post-operative SSIs were consecutively recruited using purposive sampling. Inclusion criteria included major abdominal surgery patients with post-operative SSIs, with exclusions for non-consenting patients, laparoscopic procedures, and surgeries conducted outside the institution. Results: Among 50 patients, the highest SSI incidence was found in cesarean sections (74%), with abdominal hysterectomies and laparotomies accounting for 16% and 10%, respectively. Most patients (60%) were aged 19-29 years, and 44% had a BMI of 30-39.9. About 52% showed bacterial growth in wound cultures, with E. coli (14%) and Staphylococcus aureus (10%) as predominant organisms. Notable infection-related outcomes included deep skin gaps in 40% of cases and slough formation in 22%. Conclusions: This study highlighted the risk factors associated with SSIs in abdominal obstetric and gynecological surgeries, emphasizing high infection rates in cesarean deliveries. The findings underscore the importance of targeted infection control & effective postoperative care protocols to improve patient outcomes in this population.