Meta-analysis on Surgical Infections

Surgical infections include surgical site infections and other infections requiring surgical intervention to resolve along with antibiotic treatment. The authors sought to conduct a review focusing on the application of the technique of meta-analyses in the study of surgical infections. Ninety meta-analyses were included in the review, which mainly focus on the use of antimicrobial prophylaxis and on the comparison of different techniques and procedures or therapeutic regimens for the treatment of surgical infections. The majority concern surgical infections in the field of abdominal surgery. Although surgical site infection rates or clinical efficacy are reported in all meta-analyses, mortality is reported as primary outcome in only a few. Meta-analyses focusing exclusively on surgical infections, reporting data on mortality as a primary outcome, and comparing different antibiotic regimens for the treatment of surgical infections may help the clinician with decision making.