The Impact of Temporal Factors on Surgical Site Infections: A Comparison of the Pre-Pandemic and Pandemic Periods

Aim: This study aims to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the incidence of surgical site infections (SSIs), to identify associated risk factors, and to propose evidence-based strategies for reducing morbidity, mortality, and healthcare-related costs. Methods: The study included 5,064 patients who underwent surgery between March 1, 2018, and March 1, 2022, at the University of Health Sciences, Bağcılar Training and Research Hospital. Patients who developed surgical site infections (SSIs) within 30 days postoperatively were evaluated. A total of 62 cases occurred prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, and 39 cases were identified during the pandemic period. Results: A total of 2,864 patients underwent surgery before the COVID-19 pandemic, and 2,200 patients during the pandemic. Among these, 287 (10%) and 274 (12.5%) procedures were gynecological surgeries, respectively. Surgical site infections (SSIs) were identified in 62 patients (2.2%) prior to the pandemic and in 39 patients (1.8%) during the pandemic. The mean age of the patients was 33 ± 10 years, and the mean body mass index (BMI) was 33 ± 7. The majority of procedures were cesarean sections, with 96% of incisions performed using the Pfannenstiel technique. Overall, 21% of the patients were smokers, 42% had a history of prior surgery, and 19% had at least one comorbid condition. Conclusion: Although a decrease in the rate of surgical site infections (SSIs) was observed during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to the pre-pandemic period, this difference was not statistically significant. Our findings suggest that adequate infection prevention measures were effectively implemented both before and during the pandemic, and that the additional precautions introduced in response to the pandemic did not have a significant impact on reducing the incidence of SSIs.