Predictive Factors for the Development of Surgical Site Infection After Colorectal Cancer Surgery

Abstract

Aim: In this study, we aimed to determine the predisposing factors and cut-off values for surgical site infection in patients who were operated for colorectal cancer. Method: We retrospectively analyzed data of 86 patients who were operated for colorectal cancer in our general surgery department in between 2015 and 2017. Age, gender, body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score, presence of chronic pulmonary disease, hematocrit (Hct) levels, albumin level, surgery duration, disease location (colon or rectum), presence or absence of ileostomy or colostomy in operation, presence of hyperglycemia, and surgeon volume were evaluated for associations with the development of superficial or deep surgical site infection. Results: All parameters were found to be significant for the development surgical site infection except sex and body mass index. Cut-off values were 63.5 years for age, 167.5 minutes for surgery duration, 3.05 g/dL for albumin, and 33.15% for Hct. Conclusion: We believe that the probability of surgical site infection after colorectal cancer surgery is high in patients who are older than 63.5 years, who had surgery longer than 167.5 minutes, and whose albumin level was below 3.05 g/dL and Hct was below 33.15% preoperatively. If patients operated for colorectal cancer are hyperglycemic, are in the ASA 3 risk group, undergo diverting ostomy during the surgery, have chronic lung diseases, or have rectal or classification stage 3 cancer, they should be evaluated in consideration of the above cut-off points, keeping in mind that these patients are at a high risk of developing superficial or deep surgical site infection, and they should monitored carefully for signs and symptoms of infection.

Keywords

• Colorectal cancer
• surgical site infection
• predictive value