Identifying risk factors for surgical site infections in mastectomy patients using the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database

BackgroundThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that surgical site infections (SSIs) create a significant hospital burden. To date, few multi-institutional studies have been performed to evaluate the risk factors for SSIs in mastectomy patients.MethodsBy using the American College of Surgeons' National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database, all patients undergoing mastectomy from 2005 to 2009 were identified. The outcome was to determine the incidence rate and identify significant independent risk factors of SSIs.ResultsThe incidence of SSI was 2.3% (891 of 38,739; 95% confidence interval, 2.2%–2.5%) in patients undergoing mastectomy without reconstruction. Significant (P < .05) risk factors for SSI included a body mass index greater than 25, American Society of Anesthesiology classification of 3 or higher, diabetes mellitus, surgical time of 2 hours or longer (75th percentile), and current smoking status.ConclusionsBefore this study, there was wide variation in the incidence rate of surgical site infections in this patient population. This was a large-scale study to address these inconsistencies.