Surgical Site Infections

This chapter provides the background information of the surgical site infections (SSIs), and discusses their prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention define SSIs as infections that occur at or near the surgical incision within 30 days after surgery. SSIs are classified as superficial incisional (skin or subcutaneous tissue), deep incisional (fascial and muscle layers), and involving the organ/space (tissue deeper than the muscle/fascial layer that was opened/manipulated during surgery). Antibiotic prophylaxis, management of comorbid conditions, appropriate operative technique, and surgical site preparation can help prevent SSIs. Blood tests, wound culture, and imaging can help establish the severity and extent of infection, thus guiding treatment. Superficial SSI can often be managed with oral antibiotics. Deep incisional and organ/space SSI may require IV antibiotics, percutaneous pelvic drain placement, or surgical exploration.