Prospective identification of risk factors for wound infection after lower extremity oncologic surgery

Carol D. Morris, Kent Sepkowitz, Claudette Fonshell, Neil Margetson, Janet Eagan, Jeremy Miransky, Patrick J. Boland, John Healey

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

45 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Surgical site infections (SSI) are frequent causes of morbidity and mortality after orthopaedic oncologic procedures. This study was conducted to identify the surgical site infection rate following a lower extremity or pelvic procedure and assess the risk factors for acquiring SSI by direct observation of orthopaedic oncology patients' wounds at a comprehensive cancer center. Methods: One hundred ten consecutive patients were prospectively studied. The surveillance of surgical site infections was carried out by a surgeon-trained nurse from the Infectious Disease Service. Nineteen variables were analyzed as risk factors. Results: The overall SSI rate was 13.6% (15 of 110). Excluding those patients with known preoperative infections, the SSI rate was 9.5% (10 of 105). Two statistically significant risk factors for surgical site infection in these patients emerged in the multivariate analysis: blood transfusion (P = .007) and obesity (P = .016). Procedure category was significant in univariate analysis only. Preoperative length of stay, length of procedure, prior adjuvant treatment (chemotherapy or radiotherapy), prior surgery, and use of an implant or allograft were not statistically significant risk factors for wound infection. Antibiotic usage patterns did not influence SSI rate. Conclusions: Blood transfusion and obesity should be considered individual risk factors for the development of wound infection in patients having orthopaedic oncologic procedures.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)778-782
Number of pages5
JournalAnnals of surgical oncology
Volume10
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - 2003
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Complications
  • Orthopaedic oncology
  • Surgical site infection
  • Wound infection

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery
  • Oncology

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