title: Analysis of the Risk Factors Affecting the Surgical Site Infection after Cranioplasty Following Decompressive Craniectomy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The risk factors for surgical site infections (SSIs) after cranioplasty following decompressive craniectomy remain unclear. The goal of this study was to analyze the risk factors related to developing SSIs after cranioplasty and to suggest valuable predictors.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective review was conducted of patients who underwent cranioplasty following decompressive craniectomy at our institution from January 2011 to December 2014, a total of 78 patients who underwent 78 cranioplasties. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were carried out to determine possible risk factors related to developing SSIs. We analyzed both patient-specific and surgery-specific factors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The overall rate of SSIs was 9.0% (7/78). SSIs after cranioplasty were significantly related to being female, having the primary etiology of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and having had a bilateral cranioplasty in the univariate analysis. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that being female [odds ratio (OR) 5.98, p=0.000] and having had a bilateral cranioplasty (OR 4.00, p=0.001) significantly increased the risk of SSIs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Based on our data, cranioplasty following decompressive craniectomy is associated with a high incidence of SSI. Being female, having a primary etiology of TBI and having had a bilateral cranioplasty may be risk factors for surgical site infections after cranioplasty.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Gyeongsang National University School of Medicine, Gyeongsang National University Hospital, Jinju, Korea.
authors.forename: Jin Seong
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Gyeongsang National University School of Medicine, Gyeongsang National University Hospital, Jinju, Korea.; Institute of Health Sciences, Gyeongsang National University School of Medicine, Jinju, Korea.
authors.forename: In Sung
authors.initials: IS
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Gyeongsang National University School of Medicine, Gyeongsang National University Hospital, Jinju, Korea.
authors.forename: Sung Kwon
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Gyeongsang National University School of Medicine, Gyeongsang National University Hospital, Jinju, Korea.
authors.forename: Hyun
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Gyeongsang National University School of Medicine, Gyeongsang National University Hospital, Jinju, Korea.
authors.forename: Dong-Ho
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Gyeongsang National University School of Medicine, Gyeongsang National University Hospital, Jinju, Korea.
authors.forename: Chul-Hee
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Gyeongsang National University School of Medicine, Gyeongsang National University Hospital, Jinju, Korea.
authors.forename: Soo-Hyun
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Gyeongsang National University School of Medicine, Gyeongsang National University Hospital, Jinju, Korea.
authors.forename: Jin-Myung
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Gyeongsang National University School of Medicine, Gyeongsang National University Hospital, Jinju, Korea.
authors.forename: Jong-Woo
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Han
keywords: Cranioplasty; Decompressive craniectomy; Risk factor; Surgical wound infection