Epidemiology and Infection

Table of Contents - May 2011 - Volume 139, Issue 05  

Bacterial infections

Incidence of surgical-site infections in orthopaedic surgery: a northern Italian experience

A. CASTELLAa1, P. A. ARGENTEROa2, E. C. FARINAa3, L. CHARRIERa1, E. M. BRACH DEL PREVERa4, C. M. ZOTTIa1 c1 and the Piemonte Nosocomial Infection Study Group†

a1 Department of Public Health and Microbiology, University of Torino, Italy

a2 Ospedale Rivoli, ASL TO3, Rivoli, Torino, Italy

a3 ASO S. Giovanni Battista, Molinette, Torino, Italy

a4 Department of Orthopaedics, Traumatology and Occupational Medicine, University of Torino, Italy

SUMMARY

A prospective cohort study with a 1-year telephone follow-up was performed to estimate the incidence of surgical-site infections (SSIs) in hip and knee prostheses. Twenty-five public hospitals equipped with orthopaedic units in two Italian regions were involved. An 8-month surveillance period was set to obtain significant data at a regional level and data were collected by the infection control nurses of each centre. One-year follow-up was completed in 75% of cases. SSIs were recorded in 45 cases (incidence rate 1·9/100 person-years, 95% CI 1·4–2·5). Thirty-six percent of SSIs were diagnosed during hospitalization and 95·3% within 90 days post-operation. This incidence is similar to that reported by European and USA surveillance systems. The proposed investigative method proved to be reliable and feasible. A prolonged surveillance for at least 3 months post-operation yields a good estimate of SSI in joint replacements.

(Accepted June 09 2010)

(Online publication July 12 2010)

Key Words:

Correspondence:

c1 Author for correspondence: Professor C. M. Zotti, Department of Public Health and Microbiology, University of Torino, Via Santena, 5 bis, 10126 Torino, Italy. (Email: carla.zotti@unito.it)

Footnotes

† The Piemonte Nosocomial Infection Study Group is listed in the Appendix.

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