surgical site infection
Also written as: SSI
A bacterial infection occurring at or near a surgical incision site, classified as superficial, deep, or organ/space infections with specific surveillance criteria.
Full Definition
Surgical site infection (SSI) represents one of the most common healthcare-associated infections, particularly problematic in emergency surgery due to contaminated fields, suboptimal preparation time, and patient factors such as shock, malnutrition, or immunocompromise. SSIs are classified into three categories: superficial incisional (involving only skin and subcutaneous tissue), deep incisional (involving fascia and muscle layers), and organ/space infections (involving any anatomic space other than the incision). Risk factors include emergency procedures, contaminated or dirty wound classifications, prolonged operative times, inadequate antimicrobial prophylaxis, and patient comorbidities. Prevention strategies focus on appropriate antibiotic prophylaxis, optimal surgical technique, maintenance of normothermia and euglycemia, and proper wound care. Early recognition and treatment are essential to prevent serious complications including sepsis, fascial dehiscence, or need for reoperation.
Usage
Usage note: Use 'SSI' in clinical documentation; specify classification (superficial, deep, organ/space) when documenting infections.
In Context
- "The patient developed a surgical site infection on postoperative day 5 with purulent drainage and erythema around the incision." — Post-operative clinic note
- "Surveillance data showed an increased rate of surgical site infections in emergency appendectomies compared to elective procedures." — Infection control report