Surveillance of surgical site infections after thyroidectomy in a one-day surgery setting.
OBJECTIVE
Different studies underline the importance of hospital stay on the development of infectious complications. We performed an audit of surgical site infections (SSI) after thyroidectomy was performed in a one-day surgery setting.


METHODS
One hundred and twelve consecutive patients admitted between April 2007 and discharged before May 2008 were studied. Patient selection criteria for one-day surgery were specific medical and social-logistic status. The technique of thyroidectomy was standardized.


RESULTS
SSI affect 2.6% of patients undergoing thyroid surgery with short hospitalization. The incidence of SSI was 3.2% following thyroidectomy, 2% for lobectomy. Mean time interval to symptom onset was 3 days (range 2-6). Most likely organism was Staphylococcus aureus. WI was associated with prolonged ambulatory medications.


CONCLUSIONS
Rates of SSI are similar to those described in the literature with longer hospitalization. All SSI become evident only after patient discharge. Prevention of SSI is very much the responsibility of the persons working in the operating theater. Effort should be made to improve sterile technique. Appropriate antibiotic coverage is indicated when infection develops postoperatively.
Dionigi
G
G
Endocrine Surgery Research Center, Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Insubria, Viale Borri 57, 21100 Varese, Italy. gianlorenzo.dionigi@uninsubria.it
Rovera
F
F
Boni
L
L
Dionigi
R
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000556:Ambulatory Surgical Procedures; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D013965:Thyroidectomy / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult