SURGICAL WOUND INFECTION

 Basic information

description

A surgical wound infection is one that develops after a surgical procedure. Infections after surgery occur in 1.5% to 30% of cases, depending on the type of procedure. The medical term is surgical site infections (SSIs).

FREQUENT SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

• Symptoms usually begin within 5 to 10 days after surgery, but in some cases, they begin weeks later.
• Pain, redness, and heat around the surgical wound.
• Pus and other collections of fluid around the incision.
• Red streaks in the skin around the wound.
• Fever, chills (sometimes).

causes

Infection with bacteria. These include streptococcus, staphylococcus, or other germs. These sometimes cause infection, in spite of careful preventive measures.

risk increases with

• Very young and very old persons.
• Poor nutrition (weakness from not being able to eat).
• A pre-existing illness, such as diabetes.
• Weak immune system due to illness or drugs.
• Obese patients.
• Smoking.
• Other infection at the time of surgery.
• Type of surgery being performed.
• Type of surgery wound. It may range from clean to contaminated, depending on several medical factors.
• Increased length of time for the surgery.
• Emergency surgery.

PREVENTIVE MEASURES

• Surgery team members need to follow all medical guidelines for preventing wound infections.
• In some cases, antibiotic drugs may be given to help prevent infections.

expected outcomes

In most patients, surgical wounds heal in about 2 weeks.

possible complications

• Delayed healing.
• Sepsis (also called blood poisoning) is a bloodstream infection.
• Chronic infection in some patients.

 diagnosis & treatment

general measures

• Your health care provider will do a physical exam of the surgical wound area. Medical tests may include a culture of pus or blood from the infection site.
• Treatment may include antibiotic drugs and wound-cleaning procedures.
• Surgery to open the wound and remove infected or damaged tissue or treat an abscess may be required.
• Negative pressure wound therapy may be an option.
• After treatment, relieve pain with heat. Use a heating pad or warm compress 3 or 4 times a day for 30 to 40 minutes.
• Change wound dressings as directed.

medications

• Antibiotics may be prescribed for an infection. They may be taken by mouth or given intravenously (into a vein).
• Vitamin and mineral supplements may be prescribed to hasten healing.
• Pain relievers. You may use nonprescription drugs, such as acetaminophen, to relieve minor pain.

activity

Limits will depend on the severity of the symptoms. Follow your health care provider's instructions.

diet

Usually, no special diet required.

 notify our office if

• You or a family member has symptoms of a surgical wound infection.
• High fever occurs and a general ill feeling, or infection seems to worsen after treatment.
• New, unexplained symptoms develop. Drugs used in treatment may produce side effects.

Special Notes: