Novel Predictor of Surgical-Site Infection

Immunosuppression, diabetes, older age, and obesity are recognized risk factors for surgical-site infections (SSIs). Researchers at two Baltimore hospitals wondered whether a history of skin infection might be yet another predictor. In a prospective cohort study, they asked 613 patients who were about to undergo sterile surgical procedures whether they had ever experienced antibiotic-requiring skin infections (i.e., abscess, cellulitis, wound infection); 22% answered affirmatively. Patients who had taken antibiotics or immunosuppressive drugs recently were excluded.

During the 6 months after their surgical procedures, 24 patients (4%) developed the primary endpoint — deep SSI (19) or infection-related death (5). In analyses adjusted for nume…