Surgical Site Infections: Prevalence, Economic Burden, and New Preventive Recommendations

Abstract

Surgical site infections are the most common and significant epidemiological burden worldwide. Despite implementing modern surgical techniques, appropriate antibiotic prophylaxis, sterilization techniques, and aseptic and antiseptic practices, surgical site infections continue to pose a significant challenge. As a result, patients who experience these infections may require increased antibiotic use, extended hospital stays, and higher treatment costs. This is particularly concerning given that such infections are largely preventable. The financial and social burden imposed by the costs of surgical site infections remains a significant problem for many countries. Evidence-based preventive practices should be integrated into the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative periods to prevent these infections. It is estimated that approximately half of all surgical site infections can be prevented by applying evidence-based practices.