What are surgical site infections?
Understanding the risks and the role of preventative wound care
What are surgical site infections?
SSIs: A common but preventable post-surgical complication
Surgical site infections (SSIs) are among the most frequent healthcare-associated infections globally. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), SSIs affect up to one-third of surgical patients in low- and middle-income countries and remain a significant concern in high-resource settings¹. These infections can delay healing, increase patient discomfort, and lead to serious complications.
The impact of SSIs on patients and healthcare systems
SSIs are associated with:
- Extended hospital stays
- Increased use of antibiotics
- Higher rates of readmission and reoperation
The WHO estimates that SSIs contribute significantly to postoperative morbidity and healthcare costs, making prevention a clinical and economic priority¹.
Risk factors for SSIs
Many factors increase the likelihood of developing an SSI, including:
- Patient-related: diabetes, obesity, smoking
- Procedure-related: wound contamination, surgery duration
- Post-operative care: dressing choice and wound hygiene
Among these, wound care practices are a controllable factor that play a critical role in infection prevention.
Established strategies for SSI prevention
Preventing surgical site infections (SSIs) requires a multi-phase approach that begins before the first incision and continues well into the recovery period.
Common perioperative best practices include:
- Sterile surgical technique to maintain a contamination-free environment
- Prophylactic antibiotics administered at the appropriate time and dosage
- Antiseptic skin preparation to reduce surface bacteria before incision
While these measures are essential, they primarily address the early stages of surgical care. Post-operative wound care, particularly the selection and management of dressings, is a critical yet often underemphasized factor in ongoing infection prevention. Choosing the right dressing can significantly influence healing outcomes and help reduce the risk of SSIs², especially in the context of rising antimicrobial resistance³.
The role of bacteria-binding wound dressings in SSI prevention
Dressings help maintain a clean wound environment and protect against external contamination. But not all dressings are created equal. Traditional options like silver dressings or antiseptic-coated materials may contribute to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) when used repeatedly⁴.
Bacteria-binding dressings, such as those using Sorbact® Technology, work by physically binding⁵ and removing bacteria from the wound surface without releasing active substances.
This approach:
- Reduces bacterial load
- Supports antimicrobial stewardship
- Minimizes risk of bacterial and fungal resistance development
Read more:
References
- World Health Organization. Global Guidelines for the Prevention of Surgical Site Infection. WHO, 2016. accessed on 10.11.25 [link]
- Swanson T, et al. IWII Wound Infection in Clinical Practice consensus document: 2022 update. J Wound Care. 2022;31(Sup12):S10-S21. [link]
- Rippon MG, Rogers AA, Ousey K, Stephenson J (2025). Use of DACC-coated wound dressings in the reduction of surgical site infection: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Global Wound Care Journal 1(1): 24-30. [link]
- Rippon MG and Rogers A.: Development of silver resistance: a focus on wound care. Wounds International.2025; 16(2), 20–37. [link]
- Husmark J et al. Antimicrobial effects of bacterial binding to a dialkylcarbamoyl chloride-coated wound dressing: an in vitro study. J Wound Care. 2022;31:560-570.