Risk factors for superficial surgical site infection after elective rectal cancer resection: a multivariate analysis of 8880 patients from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database

Rectal cancer resections are associated with a high incidence of sSSIs, over half of which are noted after discharge. Nine patient and operative characteristics, including smoking, BMI, COPD, APR, and open surgery were found to be significant risk factors for SSI on multivariate analysis. Furthermore, sSSI presentation in patients who had laparoscopic surgery and those who had preoperative RT is significantly delayed for unclear reasons.