WOUND INFECTION

Objectives: To determine the frequency of surgical site infection in emergencycesarean section and to detect the most common causative organism. Study Design:Prospective Study. Place & Duration: Department of Gynae unit-1 Lahore General HospitalLahore two year study extending from 20-03-2010 to 19-03-2012. Methodology: 600 patientsundergoing emergency cesarean section were included in the study. The outcome of interestwas frequency of wound infection, which was classified as being superficial, deep or organ/space. Data was collected on a specially designed Performa. Demographic details, signs andsymptoms at presentation, details of wound infection and results of culture/sensitivity testingwere noted. Results: A total of 600 patients were included. Wound infection was noted in 150patients (25%), of which 78 (52%) were superficial, 48 (32%) were deep and 28 (16%) wereorgan/space infection. Out of 150 wound infection, organisms were isolated in 102 (68%)patients. Staphylococcus Aureus was the most common organism detected in the specimensof 60 (40%) patients followed by E. coli in 30(20%) patients. Conclusions: The study revealedthat incidence of wound infection was higher in emergency cesarean section as comparedto developed countries. The routine reporting of wound infection rates stratified by mostcommon organism and potential risk factors associated with increased risk of infection is highlyrecommended.