Reduction of surgical site infections by use of pulsatile lavage irrigation after prolonged intra-abdominal surgical procedures

Abstract

Background: Surgical site infections cause significant postoperative morbidity and may be reduced by pressurized irrigation of high-risk laparotomy wounds before closure. This was a retrospective review (June 2007 to May 2008) from a surgical unit at a tertiary care center. Methods: Patients undergoing laparotomy extending beyond 4 hours, when a standard wound management strategy was instituted by either simple irrigation or pressurized pulsatile lavage (<15 psi) with saline before closure, were included. The outcome measures were the surgical site infections and factors contributing to them. Results: The median surgical time for the patients was 8 hours, with 34 wounds managed by simple irr..