Suture thread check test for detection of surgical site contamination: a prospective study

Abstract

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) is a common complication of surgical procedures.

Aim: Our study aimed at investigating a new method based on assessment of suture thread colonization to identify patients developing an SSI.

Materials and methods: We prospectively enrolled 119 patients undergoing elective surgery. For each patient, a synthetic absorbable thread in Lactomer 9-1 (Polisorb Gauge 2) inserted in the surgical site at the end of surgery was sent to the microbiology laboratory after 48 h to assess colonization of its inner tract.

Results: Forty (33.6% of cases) patients had a colonized thread. Antibiotic prophylaxis was administered to 66 of 79 patients who did not display a colonized thread and to 20 of the 40 patients with a colonized thread (83.5% versus 50%, respectively, P = 0.0002). An SSI was observed only in patients with a colonized thread (10% versus 0, P = 0.02). The microorganisms identified in colonized threads were the same identified in SSIs.

Conclusions: Since an SSI was found only in patients with colonized threads, the method described here may be valuable for identifying patients developing an SSI. Moreover, the method can also be useful for targeting efficient antibiotic therapy to the culprit microorganisms.

Keywords: Antibiotic prophylaxis; Surgical site contamination; Surgical site infection.