Retrospective cohort study shows higher surgical site infections in warmer months following hernia repair, indicating obesity and diabetes as key risk factors.
Key Points
To explore the association between seasonal trends and rates of surgical site infections after hernia repair.
Retrospective cohort study using ACS-NSQIP database from 2006 to 2021
Population included 826,636 patients undergoing hernia repair
Comparison of SSI rates between warm and cold seasons
Analysis of independent predictors using multi-variable and binomial logistic regression
Warm operative season linked to increased odds of superficial and any SSI
Rates of superficial SSI increased by 1.11 per 1000 cases
Rates of any SSI increased by 1.30 per 1000 cases
No significant seasonal difference for deep incisional and organ space SSIs
Other predictors of SSI included diabetes, obesity, and surgical approach type