Rate of wound infection after clean surgery

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to determine the rate of wound infection after clean surgical operations without using of prophylactic antibiotics and to investigate the relation between surgical wound infection with patient's age, sex, type of hospital, and the difference in surgeons.

METHODS: This study carried out in Sana’a city on 238 patients who underwent clean operations in two governmental and two private hospitals by four surgeons between 1998-1999. Patients at high risk of infection were excluded.

RESULTS: The rate of wound infection was 8%. The study revealed statistically significant difference (P=0.011) in the infection with elderly patients (25% infection in elderly patients compared with 6% in less than 60 years old patients). It was also found that wound infection rate differs with the difference in surgeons; the rate did not exceed 3% with one surgeon (the author) in comparison with 13% with other surgeons. This difference is statically significant (P= 0.003). Differences in rates of infection with sex of the patient and type of the hospital were statistically insignificant.

CONCLUSION: The study was concluded that the rate of wound infection after clean surgery without prophylactic antibiotics in Yemen is higher than many other countries, surgeon and the age of the paient were the risk factors of importance. It is suggested to give antibiotics as prophylaxis to elderly patients and to rise the awareness of the surgeons and nurses in order to improve their practice.