Influence of seasonal variability on orthopedic surgical outcomes in pediatric patients: a review of surgical site infections.

Abstract

Surgical site infections (SSIs) are challenging, with highly variable reported rates for children undergoing orthopedic surgery. It has been shown in adults that there is seasonal variability in SSI rates, with peak incidences in the summer months. We reviewed 8766 pediatric orthopedic procedures completed at a quaternary children's hospital over a 43-month period. Data collected included: age, sex, BMI, season of procedure, cultures, and other variables related to risks and treatment of SSIs. Of 4875 male and 3891 female pediatric patients undergoing orthopedic procedures, 47 patients (0.54%) with an average age of 11.3 years (range: 2.0-18.6) developed an SSI. Average time between surgery and diagnosis was 27.7 ± 19.8 days. Sixty percent of SSI patients had a BMI in the 85th percentile or above, and 49% of SSI patients had a BMI above the 95th percentile. Thirty-eight patients had positive cultures, with most common infections being due to methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus in 11 (29%) cases, polymicrobial in 9 (24%), pseudomonas in 5 (13%), and coagulase-negative Staphylococcus in 5 (13%). SSI rate in winter (0.18%) was significantly lower than in autumn (0.77%, P = 0.006) and summer (0.69%, P = 0.02). The difference did not reach statistical significance from the infection rate in spring (0.53%, P = 0.06). Twenty-nine (62%) SSI cases were considered elective in nature, and the other 18 (38%) cases were for acute traumatic injuries. There is a significantly higher SSI rate in summer and autumn than winter for pediatric patients undergoing orthopedic surgeries. Most patients with SSIs were overweight or obese.