Prevalence and Profile of Early Surgical Site Infections Following Elective Neurosurgery and Laparotomy: An Observational Study.

Background: Surgical site infections (SSIs) are among the most common healthcare-associated infections, contributing to significant morbidity and prolonged hospital stays. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with early SSIs in patients undergoing elective neurosurgery and laparotomy at a tertiary care center in central India. Material and Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted over one year, including 721 patients who underwent elective neurosurgical or laparotomy procedures. Data on demographics, comorbidities, type of surgery, antibiotic prophylaxis timing, and surgical duration were collected. SSIs were identified using CDC/NHSN criteria, and microbiological evaluation was performed for infected cases. Results: The overall prevalence of SSIs was 15.53%, with higher incidence among patients aged 21-60 years and males. Diabetes mellitus was the most common comorbidity in SSI patients. SSIs were more frequent in laparotomy cases compared to neurosurgery. Notably, over half of the infected patients had received prophylactic antibiotics within 30 minutes before incision. Conclusion: SSIs remain a substantial postoperative complication, particularly in diabetic and laparotomy patients. Adherence to comprehensive infection control practices beyond antibiotic timing is crucial to minimize infection risk.