Wound Infection

Question 1

What 3 factors affect surgical wound infection?

Answer 1

Bacterial factors, surgical factors, patient factors.

Question 2

What bacterial factors affect surgical wound infection?

Answer 2

Presence and growth of bacteria, no. of bacteria, type and virulence, duration of exposure, timing of exposure (<3-6hrs post op etc.)

Question 3

What surgical factors affect surgical wound infection?

Answer 3

Surgical procedure (duration, technique, aseptic technique), surgical wound (dead space, foreign material, blood clots, devitalised tissue)

Question 4

What patient factors affect surgical wound infection?

Answer 4

Age, nutrition, disease conditions (diabetes, renal failure, endocrinopathies, cancer, trauma, infection, immunodeficiency, hypoalbuminaemia), therapy (corticosteroids, anaesthesia).