An eight year study of postoperative wound infection in two district general hospitals

Between 1971 and 1978 the incidence of wound infection in 29,941 patients undergoing major or intermediate categories of surgical operations was studied at two district general hospitals. The overall incidence of infection was 5·4 per cent and there was a gradual fall over the period of study. The infection rate in clean operations was 2·9 per cent, in clean-contaminated operations 8·6 per cent and in contaminated operations 12·9 per cent. Thirty-nine per cent of wounds were infected with Staphylococcus aureus and the incidence of anaerobic wound infections was related to improvements in laboratory methods and chemoprophylaxis. Infection surveillance studies and the distribution of the findings to all members of the theatre and ward teams are essential factors in the control of postoperative wound infection.