Factors Influencing Surgical Site Infections in Abdominal Surgeries: A Cross - Sectional Analysis

Background: Surgical Site Infections (SSIs) increase healthcare costs, hospital stays, and morbidity. This study examines the reasons for SSIs after abdominal surgery in low- and middle-income nations like India, where inadequate medical infrastructure makes them more common. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Pawapuri Nalanda, Bihar’s Bhagwan Mahabir Institute of Medical Science from August 2023 to August 2024. The study involved 150 abdominal surgery patients. Medical records were used to collect demographics, operation details, co-morbidities, and postoperative factors. According to CDC guidelines, SSI incidence was evaluated, and multivariate logistic regression showed significant risk factors. Results: Diabetes (38%), obesity (35%), and surgeries over three hours (28%), had the greatest incidences of SSIs at 21.3% of 150 patients. Risk factors for SSIs include obesity (OR 2.8, p < 0.01), diabetes (OR 3.1, p < 0.01), and longer surgery time (OR 2.4, p < 0.01). Patients who received prophylactic antibiotics within 60 minutes after surgery had 13% fewer SSIs than those who received them later (29%). Conclusion: Long operational time, obesity and diabetes increase abdominal SSI risk. Prophylactic antibiotics must be given quickly to reduce infection rates. These findings emphasise the significance of specialised therapy to improve surgical outcomes.