Coit et al identified risk factors in patients with surgical site infection following lymph node dissection in the groin. These can help identify patients who may require preoperative prophylaxis and closer monitoring after surgery. The authors are from Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City.
Risk factors:
(1) obesity
(2) age > 60 years
(3) smoking
(4) hypertension
(5) diabetes mellitus
Risk Factor
Percent with Any Complication
p Value
obesity
46%
0.003
age > 60 years
46%
0.004
smoking
37%
0.04
hypertension
39%
0.03
diabetes mellitus
42%
0.04
from Table 2, page 1368
Additional risk factors (edema, open wound, arteriosclerotic vascular disease) had p values from 0.11 to 0.17.
Number of Risk Factors
Percent with Any Complication
0
14%
1 or 2
26 – 28%
3 or more
62%
To read more or access our algorithms and calculators, please log in or register.
