Publication:

Bacteriological study of post-operative wound infection in DMCH

Background Post-operative wound infection is leading cause of morbidity, prolonged hospital stays. Understanding the bacteriological profile and associated risk factors is essential for effective prevention and management. This study was aimed to determine the bacteriological profile and associated factors of post-operative wound infections in women treated at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH).

Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted at department of gynecology and obstetrics, Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Dhaka, from October 2019 to September 2021. A total of 200 women diagnosed as post-operative wound infection were enrolled in the study by purposive sampling. A detailed history, thorough clinical examination and wound swab culture and sensitivity test were carried out in each patient. Separate case-record data were gathered, and SPSS 24 was used for analysis.

Results Among the post-operative wound infected women maximum had culture positive bacteriological findings (67%), where gram-positive bacteria, primarily Staphylococcus aureus (33.6%) were the most common pathogens, followed by gram-negative bacteria, including Escherichia coli (20.9%), Pseudomonas (20.9%), Acetobacter (14.2%) and Klebsiella (10.4%). Gram positive infections were associated with anemia (91.1%) and gram-negative infections with diabetes mellitus (23.6%). There was no significant association between bacterial type and the type of surgery, duration of hospital stays or obstetric factors like prolonged rupture of membranes or preeclampsia.

Conclusions Gram positive and gram-negative bacteria cause post-operative wound infections in DMCH, with anemia, diabetes, and other comorbidities being equally important. However, further larger studies in different surgical units are warranted.