Prevention of Surgical Site Infection: Analysis and Narrative Review of Clinical Practice Guidelines

Abstract

Surgical site infection is one of the most prevalent healthcare-associated infections and presents a considerable morbidity. The aim of this comprehensive narrative review is to describe the evidence and grade of recommendation of the preventive measures developed in the three phases of the surgical process (preoperative, perioperative and postoperative phases), as well as coincidences and divergences between selected Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG). Four preventive measures were recommended with similar high grade evidence in all CPG: Hair removal, antibiotic prophylaxis, surgical site preparation and normothermia. However, critical points, new preventive measures and bundle implementations by surgical process are under discussion. These results represent a significant progress toward improving programs to prevent surgical site infection and they should be taken into account for improved future interventions in this area.