ARUNA M., V. THANGATHIRUPATHI RAJAN, P. NEELUSREE AND M. KALYANI
Abstract
Post-operative surgical site infections in Neurosurgery have high morbidity and mortality. Worldrenowned Neurosurgical centres report an overall post-operative infection rate of about 2%.Various antibiotic regimes and aseptic precautions are recommended. We report our post-operative infection rate with aseptic procedures and antibiotic prophylaxis in our institute which is very economical and efficient. Among 527 cases, the distribution of the cases was as follows cranial 33% (174/527), spinal 53% (279/527), V-P shunt [CSF diversion procedures] 6% (31/527), re-operated cases 7% (36/527) and 1% endoscopic procedures (7/527). Immediate post-operative fever rate was 2.2% (12/527), delayed post-op fever (>48 hours) rate was 0.19% (1/527), CSF and blood culture positive rate was 0.19% (1/527). The total incidence of postoperative infection is 0.19% and mortality due to post-operative infection is nil. Staphylococcus aureus and Propionibacterium acnes infections pose a threat to surgical procedures associated with a high risk of infection so antibiotic prophylaxis of the same can be effective in controlling SSIs.