title: Risk factors for surgical site infections after elective gastrectomy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to identify the risk factors for surgical site infections (SSIs) after elective gastrectomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study reviewed the medical records of 842 patients who underwent elective gastrectomy. Multivariate analyses were performed to determine the risk factors for SSIs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Superficial incisional, deep incisional, and organ/space SSIs were detected in 50 (5.9%) patients, 2 (0.2%) patients, and 90 (10.7%) patients, respectively. A multivariate analysis demonstrated that female gender (p = 0.0332) and allogenic blood transfusion (p = 0.0266) were independent predictors for superficial incisional SSIs, while a male gender (p = 0.0355), corticosteroid therapy (p = 0.037), total gastrectomy (p < 0.0001), and a duration of operation ≥300 min (p = 0.0062) were independent predictors for organ/space SSIs. The median length of postoperative hospital stay was significantly longer in patients with organ/space SSIs in comparison to those without SSIs (p < 0.0001) and with superficial incisional SSIs (p < 0.0001). The patients with organ/space SSIs had a significantly higher re-operation rate in comparison to those without SSIs (p < 0.0001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The risk factors both for incisional SSIs and for organ/space SSIs are strongly associated with surgical results. Meticulous surgical techniques are therefore required to prevent SSIs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Nara Medical University, 840 Shijo-Cho, Kashihara, Nara, 634-8522, Japan. kmigita@naramed-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Kazuhiro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Migita
authors.forename: Tomoyoshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Takayama
authors.forename: Sohei
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Matsumoto
authors.forename: Kohei
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wakatsuki
authors.forename: Koji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Enomoto
authors.forename: Tetsuya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tanaka
authors.forename: Masahiro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ito
authors.forename: Yoshiyuki
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Nakajima
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005743:Gastrectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013272:Stomach Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D055815:Young Adult