Q: All of the following are risk factors for surgical site infections (SSIs) after colorectal surgery except?

A) Perioperative blood transfusion
B) Creation of an ostomy
C) Postoperative ileus
D) Obesity
E) Male Gender



Answer:  C

Objective of above question is to highlight the danger of blood transfusion during surgery (Choice A), which is sometime taken as trivial but is an important risk factor for surgical site infections (SSIs). Some degree of postoperative ileus is expected in all colorectal surgeries (Choice C).

Creation of an ostomy, prolong immobilization, obesity and male gender are known and easy to guess risk factors for surgical site infections (SSIs).



Reference:

Tang R, Chen HH, Wang YL, et al. Risk factors for surgical site infection after elective resection of the colon and rectum: a single-center prospective study of 2,809 consecutive patients. Ann Surg 2001; 234:181.