KUMJ | VOL. 12 | NO. 2 | ISSUE 46 | APRIL-JUNE, 2014
Incidence and Risk Factors of Surgical Site Infection Following Cesarean Section at Dhulikhel Hospital
Shrestha S, Shrestha R, Shrestha B, Dongol A
Abstract: Background
Cesarean Section (CS) is one of the most commonly performed surgical procedures
in obstetrical and gynecological department. Surgical site infection (SSI) after a
cesarean section increases maternal morbidity prolongs hospital stay and medical
costs.
Objective
The aim of this study was to find out the incidence and associated risk factors of
surgical site infection among cesarean section cases.
Method
A prospective, descriptive study was conducted at Dhulikhel Hospital, department
of Obstetrics and Gynaecology from July 2013 to June 2014. Total of 648 women
who underwent surgical procedure for delivery during study period were included
in the study. Data was collected from patient using structred pro forma and
examination of wound till discharge was done. Data was compared in terms of
presence of surgical site infection and study variables. Wound was evaluated for
the development of SSI on third day, and fifth post-operative day, and on the day
of discharge.
Results
Total of 648 cases were studied. The mean age was 24±4.18. Among the studied
cases 92% were literate and 8% were illiterate. Antenatal clinic was attended by
97.7%. The incidence rate of surgical site infection was 82 (12.6%). SSI was found
to be common in women who had rupture of membrane before surgery (p=0.020),
who underwent emergency surgery (p=0.0004), and the women who had vertical
skin incision (p=0.0001) and interrupted skin suturing (p=0.0001) during surgery.
Conclusion
Surgical site infection following caesarean section is common. Various modifiable
risk factors were observed in this study. Development of SSI is related to multifactorial
rather than one factor. Development and strict implementation of protocol
by all the health care professionals could be effective to minimize and prevent the
infection rate after caesarean section.
Keyword : Caesarean section, maternal infection, surgical site infection
