Seasonal impact on surgical site infections and wound healing disturbance in carpal tunnel surgery: A retrospective cohort study

Abstract Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common entrapment syndrome of a peripheral nerve. The gold standard treatment is open carpal tunnel release which has a high success rate, a low complication rate, and predictable postoperative results. However, it has not been analysed yet if there is a seasonal influence on complications for carpal tunnel release, a highly elective procedure. In this retrospective study, we determine whether there is a seasonal impact on surgical site infections (SSI) and wound healing disorders (WHD) in primary carpal tunnel syndrome surgery. Between 2014 and 2018, we have assessed 1385 patients (65% female, 35% male) at a mean age of 61.9 (SD 15.3) years, which underwent open carpal tunnel release because of primary carpal tunnel syndrome. The seasonal data such as the warm season (defined as the period from 1st of June until 15th of September), the average daily and monthly temperature, and the average relative humidity were analysed. Patient demographics were examined including body mass index, alcohol and nicotine abuse, the use of anticoagulants and antiplatelet drugs as well as comorbidities. These data were correlated regarding their influence to the rate of surgical site infections and wound healing disorders in our study collective. A postoperative SSI rate of 2.4% and a WHD rate of 7% were detected. Our data confirms the warm season, the average monthly temperature, and male sex as risk factors for increasing rates of WHDs. Serious SSIs with subsequent revision surgery could be correlated with higher age and higher relative humidity. However there is no seasonal impact on SSIs. We therefore advise considering the timing of this elective surgery with scheduling older male patients preferably during the cold season to prevent postoperative WHDs.