Prediction of and risk factors for surgical wound infection in the Saphenous vein harvesting leg in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass

• Background: Surgical wound infection (SWI) of the leg after saphenous vein harvesting is an important complication of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) procedures. SWIs may restrict mobility in the postoperative period and increase costs of postoperative hospitalisation and antibiotic treatment. Methods: A total of 356 patients were followed. Surgical risk factors were evaluated for SWI following saphenous vein harvesting, and the effectiveness of an occlusive glycerinated hydrogel dressing in reducing postoperative SWIs was assessed. In addition, the ability of postoperative clinical wound assessment to predict SWI following CABG 30 and 60 days after operation was investigated. Results: The most important risk factor for SWI after saphenous vein harvesting was the use of a monofilament suture for skin closure (glycomer 4-0 Biosyn® Tyco Healthcare, Stockholm, Sweden) (p > 0.001). The hydrogel dressing did not prevent the development of SWIs. The clinical wound assessment showed that wound gap was associated with leg infection, but other signs were poor predictors of SWI. Conclusion: The choice of suture and suturing technique is important to prevent SWI following saphenous vein harvesting. More precise definitions of wound signs are necessary if they are to be used as predictors of SWI.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Kirurgi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Surgery (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap -- Omvårdnad (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences -- Nursing (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Coronary artery bypass graft

surgical wound infection

saphenous vein harvesting

risk factor

sutures

suturing technique

wound dressing

wound evaluation scale

Thoracic surgery

Thoraxkirurgi

Caring sciences

Vårdvetenskap

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)