Comparing Surgical Site Infection, between Dressed and Undressed Wound in Patients Undergoing Clean Abdominal Surgeries

Objectives: To compare the frequency of Surgical Site Infection in dressed versus undressed wounds in patients undergoing clean abdominal surgeries. Study Design: Quasi-experimental study. Place and Duration of Study: General Surgical Department, Combined Military Hospital, Rawalpindi Pakistan, from Feb to Jul 2024. Methodology: A total of 246 patients who fulfilled the selection criteria were enrolled in the study after taking written informed consent. The patients were divided into two Groups i.e. 123 each by odd and even number. Patients in Group A received dressing of the abdominal wounds and Group B did not have any dressing and the outcome measure was assessed till the patients were discharged. Results: A total of 246 patients were enrolled and were divided into two Groups of 123 patients each. The median (IQR) age of the patients was 39.5 (17.2) years, the median (IQR) duration of hospital stay was 3.1 (2.0) days, the median (IQR) duration of surgery was 45.3 (9.0) minutes and the median (IQR) duration of wound closure was 6.0 (2.0) days. SSI was seen in 13(10.6%) patients in Group A and in 7(5.7%) patient in Group B and the difference between both Groups in terms of SSI was statistically insignificant as indicated by a p-value of 0.162. Conclusion: There was no statistically significant difference between the dressed versus undressed clean abdominal wounds in terms of frequency of Surgical Site Infection.