Comparison of surgical site infection in post-op patients for whom wound closure is done using staplers and sutures

Abstract

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) is a common healthcare-associated infection with a complication rate of up to 10%-20% of surgeries. After a surgical procedure, skin closure is crucial in preventing infection at the surgical site. The purpose of this study is to compare skin closure using sutures versus staplers in elective orthopaedic surgery cases that are followed for 4 weeks for post-operative surgical site infection. Materials and Methods: This is a prospective study of 30 patients who underwent elective orthopaedic procedures between October 2021 to November 2021 with a follow up duration of 4 weeks. Our primary outcome was any surgical site infection and wound gaping within 4 weeks of surgery. 30 patients were divided into two groups of 15 each. In group A wound closure was done using staplers and in group, B sutures (ethylon) were used. There was no statistical difference of risk factors between two groups in terms of age, gender and operative time. Results: The patients were divided into 2 groups of 15. In group A, there were 6 surgical site infections and in group B, there were 3 cases of surgical site infection identified. The overall rate of SSI was lower in group B (SUTURES). Conclusion: By this study it can be concluded that sutures can be used for wound closure instead of staplers in elective orthopaedic surgical procedures as the rate of surgical site infections (SSIs) were less in patients whose wound closure were done using sutures.