Risk factors for surgical site infection in patients undergoing obstetrics and gynecology surgeries: A meta-analysis of observational studies

PLoS One. 2024 Mar 6;19(3):e0296193. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0296193. eCollection 2024.

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to identify the risk factors for surgical site infection (SSI) in patients undergoing obstetrics and gynecology surgeries through meta-analysis.

Methods: Relevant original studies published from January 1945 to May 2023 were searched the CBM, PubMed, Embase, WOS, CNKI, Wanfang, vip, and Cochrane Library databases. Studies eligible were evaluated by two investigators following Newcastle-Ottawa Scale(NOS) criteria. Review Manager 5.3 software was used to analyse the combined effect sizes and test for heterogeneity, and Stata 14.0 software's Begg's Test and Egger's Test were used to test for bias.

Results: 13 case-control articles, including 860 cases in the case group and 13574 cases in the control group, met the inclusion criteria. Eventually, Our meta-analysis showed that SSI in patients undergoing obstetrics and gynecology surgeries was correlated with body mass index (BMI)≥24 (OR = 2.66; P < 0.0001), malignant lesions (OR = 4.65; P < 0.0001), operating time≥60min (OR = 2.58; P < 0.0001), intraoperative bleeding≥300ml (OR = 2.54; P < 0.0001), retained urinary catheter (OR = 4.45; P < 0.0001), and vaginal digital examination≥3times (OR = 2.52; P < 0.0001).

Conclusion: In this study, BMI≥24, intraoperative bleeding≥300ml, malignant lesions, operating time≥60min, retained urinary catheter, and vaginal digital examination≥3times were considered as independent risk factors for SSI in obstetrics and gynecology surgery. It is recommended that scholars be rigorous in designing the experimental process when conducting case-control or experimental studies in order to improve the quality of the study. Controlling patients' weight before obstetrical and gynecological surgery, shortening the operation time intraoperatively, and strictly controlling the indications of vaginal digital examination and retained urinary catheter can effectively reduce the incidence of SSI.

Publication types

  • Meta-Analysis

MeSH terms

  • Female
  • Gynecologic Surgical Procedures / adverse effects
  • Gynecology*
  • Humans
  • Obstetrics*
  • Pregnancy
  • Risk Factors
  • Surgical Wound Infection / epidemiology
  • Surgical Wound Infection / etiology

Grants and funding

The author(s) received no specific funding for this work.