Microbiological Profile and Risk Assessment of surgical- site infections following Obstetric and Gynecological Surgeries: A study at a rural-based tertiary care hospital

• Author Details:   
• Nidhi Mihirkumar Bhalodia ^*
• Mihirkumar J Bhalodia
• Himani Pandya
• Tanuja Javadekar
• Sucheta Lakhani

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Introduction: Surgical site infections are the second most common cause of maternal mortality after postpartum hemorrhage in obstetrics and gynecology. Surgical site infections account for about 38% of health care-associated infections among patients admitted to the obstetrics and gynecology department.
Aims & Objective: The main aim of the study is to investigate the incidence of surgical site infection following obstetric and gynecological surgeries and evaluate various risk factors. In the present study bacteriological profile and antibiotic susceptibility of various pathogens were analyzed.
Materials and Methods: The present cross-sectional study was carried out at a rural-based tertiary care hospital for the period of 4 years (January 2021 to March 2025) to estimate the rate of surgical site infection in the obstetrics and gynecology department. A total of 1460 patients who underwent various obstetrical and gynecological procedures were included in the study.
Result: Out of a total of 1460 patients, 162 developed surgical site infections. Thus incidence of surgical site infection in our study was 11.09%. Out of all the surgeries, highest surgical site infection rate was among Lower Segment Cesarean Section procedures (24%), followed by vaginal hysterectomy (20.9%). In our study statistical analysis showed that body-mass index (>30kg/m²), random blood sugar (>140 mg/dL), low hemoglobin level (<7gm>
Conclusion: Regular surveillance has to be carried out in our hospital setting to monitor the Surgical site infection rate and ensure proper implementation of infection prevention and control measures.

Keywords: Surgical site infection, Obstetric and gynecological surgery, Enterobacter cloacae.