Surgical site infection occurs in 10 percent of individuals and is the most frequent complication after abdominal surgery, according to the "Journal of Hospital Infection." Abdominal wounds develop from surgical operations or from injury to the region between the rib cage and the pelvic bone. According to the National Cancer Institute, an abdominal wound becomes a serious wound when contaminated with microorganisms.
Superficial Surgical Site Infection
An excess of serous wound drainage develops in superficial abdominal wound infections. "World Wide Wounds" describes the serous material as appearing clear or straw colored and arising from protein and fluid in the tissue. The skin opening appears red at the edges of the wound. Culture of the wound will show bacteria presence. Antibiotics may be required to treat the infection.
Deep Wound Surgical Site Infection
Abdominal wounds opening below the skin level constitute a deep surgical wound and the presence of purulent drainage. Purulent drainage appears yellow, gray or green in color. The pus-filled fluid contains microorganisms, white cells, inflammatory cells and dead or dying bacteria. The patient develops an elevated temperature above 101 degrees Fahrenheit. Antibiotic therapy treats the infection. Due to dressing changes for the wound and antibiotic requirements, a patient stays longer in the hospital.
Surgical Site Infection with Organ Involvement
Abdominal wounds extending down to the intestines and showing infection indicate a wound with organ involvement. Abdominal wounds with infection down to the intestines represent serious illness. If the intestines spill their contents, the wound fills with contaminated organisms from the gut. These individuals frequently require a return to surgery to clean the wound, complex dressing management of the wound, extensive antibiotic treatment, a referral to the intensive care unit and a prolonged stay in the hospital.
References
- National Cancer Institute: Peritoneal Cavity
- "Journal of Hospital Infection"; Clinical Relevance of Surgical Site Infection; N. A. Henriksen, et al.; 2010
- "World Wide Wounds"; Acute Wounds, Chronic Wounds and Wounds in the Aged; S. Enoch, Ph.D. & P. Price, Ph.D.; 2004
- "Journal of the American College of Surgeons"; General Surgical Operative Duration; Levi D. Procter, M.D., et al.; 2010
- "American Journal of Surgery"; Hospitals Collaborate to Decrease Surgical Site Infections; S. M. Dellinger et al.; 2005
