Bozzay et al reported risk factors for an abdominal surgical site infection in a combat casualty undergoing exploratory laparotomy. These can help to identify a patient who may benefit from more aggressive management. The authors are from the Infectoius Disease Clinical Research Program Trauma Infectious Disease Outcomes Study Group.
Patient selection: combat casualty undergoing exploratory laparotomy
Outcome: abdominal surgical site infection
Frequency in study group: 14%
Risk factors for any surgical site infection:
(1) colorectal injury
(2) duodenal injury
(3) being diagnosed with an infection prior being diagnosed with the surgical site infection
Other factors that may contribute:
(1) abdominal vascular injury
(2) injury to the pancreas
(3) injury to jejunum or ileum
(4) penetrating injury
(5) prolonged open abdomen
Additional risk factors for an organ space surgical site infection:
(1) non-intra-abdominal infection
(2) hypotension
Factors associated with a lower risk for a surgical site infection:
(1) non-penetrating blast injury from an improvised explosive device
