Surgical Site Infections in Liver Transplant Patients: A Single-Center Experience

Abstract

AimThe aim of the study was a single-center assessment of occurrence of surgical site infections (SSI) in patients after liver transplantation and an attempt to determine factors that may contribute to this complication. Patients and methodsAnalysis of medical records of 60 adult patients, who underwent first transplantation in 2016 and 2017 was conducted. Selected pre-, intra-, and postoperative factors were assessed. Statistical analysis was performed with StatSoft Statistica 13.1 PL package. ResultsSSI occurred in 25% of liver recipients, with average timing of diagnosis on the 14th day after surgery. Mean duration of hospitalization was significantly longer in patients who experienced SSI than in patients without this complication (35.8 ± 8.9 days vs 25.2 ± 6 days, P < .0001). SSI occurred a little more frequently in men and older recipients, as well as in overweight and underweight patients (not significant). An indication for transplantation did not have an impact on SSI occurrence. The complication was more likely in patients with diabetes and renal failure prior to transplantation (P > .05). Duration of the procedure, blood loss and prolonged drainage did not have any impact on SSIs. SSI was significantly more common in recipients with lower total protein value (P < .0002) and anemia (P < .0002) in early postoperative period. ConclusionAmong the studied population, a high incidence of SSI was noted, and that some of the identified risk factors differ from those described in the literature.