According to a detailed retrospective study covered in volume 14 of the Scientific Reports, Surgical Site Infections (SSIs) following osteosynthesis of trochanteric or subtrochanteric fractures, are a rare but gravely serious complication. The incidence rate ranges from 1 to 3%. These infections bear the stigma of higher mortality rates, longer hospital stays, and increment of healthcare expenses, which further affect the patients’ quality of life. The study involved an examination of all patients with SSI following these fractures at the Department of Trauma Surgery over a period of 26 years. The purpose of the study was to categorize epidemiological data and identify parameters correlating with the incidence of SSI and mortality.
Of the 2753 patients evaluated, 1.9% developed an SSI. It has been revealed that longer operative times were an earmark among these patients (P = 0.008). Moreover, the mortality rate in the first postoperative year was considerably higher in the SSI group. Factors contributing to this increased risk of mortality included methicillin-sensitive (MSSA) and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and Enterococcus spp. Additionally, being male and of higher mean age were also identified as predictors for 1-year mortality in non-infected patients.
Proximal femoral fractures are a prevalent health issue in developed countries, particularly given their prevalence among the aging population. Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most common complications of hospital-acquired infections, the likelihood of which varies based on patient condition and type of surgery. Studies focusing on infection incidence following trochanteric and subtrochanteric fractures have been limited, even though the surgical interventions for these fractures are substantially different.
This study aimed to detail the incidence of SSIs and the most common bacteria and antibiotics involved in these fractures. It also ventured to explore potential risk factors for SSI, the likelihood of developing it, and mortality rates at different follow-up times. The results revealed that SSIs and the duration of surgery bore a direct linear relationship with infection. Additionally, patients with SSI had a higher 1-year mortality, with the presence of MSSA, MRSA, and Enterococcus spp. significantly escalating the risk of expiration.
The data analyzed was in compliance with the principles outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki and ethical guidelines issued by the Medical University of Vienna. The study’s findings can be influential in addressing the urgent need to prevent SSIs to reduce unnecessary healthcare expenditure and improve patient outcomes.