Surgical site infection rates in breast cancer surgery at a University hospital in Nairobi, Kenya

Abstract

Back ground: Surgical site infections (SSI)following breast cancer surgery remain a significant cause of morbidity with the use of single dose pre-operative antibiotic prophylaxis. As a result the use of peri-operative antibiotics is common and unregulated, with no knowledge of the infection outcomes with their use. Objectives: To establish the SSI outcomes with the use of peri-operative antibiotic prophylaxis, evaluate the common risk factors for SSI development and assess for other important outcomes following breast cancer surgery. Methods: A prospective surveillance study for patients undergoing breast cancer surgery using the National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance (NNIS) system. Analysis: Analysis for the rates of surgical site infections and the prevalence of common risk factors for SSI development and their importance Outcomes: An SSI rate of 6% was observed using peri-antibiotic prophylaxis and a strict surveillance protocol. This was significantly reduced rate compared with other studies of antibiotic prophylaxis. The most significant risk factors for SSI in the study population were age \u3e65 years, obesity and diabetes. Seroma formation, shoulder dysfunction and medial upper arm numbness were the other surgical complications noted