An overview of surgical site infection.

Surgical site infection (SSI) is a common healthcare-associated infection (HCAI) and complicates up to 10-15% of operations, with considerable healthcare resources expended in the process. In addition to the use of appropriate hair removal, antibiotic prophylaxis, avoidance of hypothermia and peri-operative blood glucose control to reduce SSIs, there is new research and outcomes that should be considered for inclusion in guidelines. The efficacy of preoperative bathing/showering, antibiotic prophylaxis for clean surgery and peri-operative oxygen supplementation to prevent SSIs remains doubtful. However, the use of 2% chlorhexidine in alcohol skin preparation, postoperative negative pressure wound therapy and antiseptic surgical dressings do show promise. Antimicrobial sutures, in independent meta-analyses, reduced the risk of SSI after most classes of surgery, whereas wound guards did not. The incidence of SSI is not falling and is proportionally rising as the most common HCAI. Some innovations should be included into care bundles, but more research is required for others, together with improved compliance with care bundles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]