Risk factors for surgical site infection after craniotomy: a prospective cohort study

Emilio Jiménez-Martínez†,
Guillermo Cuervo†Email author,
Ana Hornero,
Pilar Ciercoles,
Andres Gabarrós,
Carmen Cabellos,
Ivan Pelegrin,
Dolores García-Somoza,
Jordi Adamuz,
Jordi Carratalà and
Miquel Pujol

†Contributed equally

Antimicrobial Resistance & Infection Control20198:69

https://doi.org/10.1186/s13756-019-0525-3

Received: 11 December 2018
Accepted: 29 March 2019
Published: 2 May 2019

Abstract

Background

Although surgical site infection after craniotomy (SSI-CRAN) is a serious complication, risk factors for its development have not been well defined. We aim to identify the risk factors for developing SSI-CRAN in a large prospective cohort of adult patients undergoing craniotomy.

Methods

A series of consecutive patients who underwent craniotomy at a university hospital from January 2013 to December 2015 were prospectively assessed. Demographic, epidemiological, surgical, clinical and microbiological data were collected. Patients were followed up in an active post-discharge surveillance programm e for up to one year after surgery. Multivariate analysis was carried out to identify independent risk factors for SSI-CRAN.

Results

Among the 595 patients who underwent craniotomy, 91 (15.3%) episodes of SSI-CRAN were recorded, 67 (73.6%) of which were organ/space. Baseline demographic characteristics were similar among patients who developed SSI-CRAN and those who did not. The most frequent causative Gram-positive organisms were Cutibacterium acnes (23.1%) and Staphylococcus epidermidis(23.1%), whereas Enterobacter cloacae (12.1%) was the most commonly isolated Gram-negative agent. In the univariate analysis the factors associated with SSI-CRAN were ASA score > 2 (48.4% vs. 35.5% in SSI-CRAN and no SSI-CRAN respectively, p = 0.025), extrinsic tumour (28.6% vs. 19.2%, p = 0.05), and re-intervention (4.4% vs. 1.4%, p = < 0.001). In the multivariate analysis, ASA score > 2 (AOR: 2.26, 95% CI: 1.32–3.87; p = .003) and re-intervention (OR: 8.93, 95% CI: 5.33–14.96; p < 0.001) were the only factors independently associated with SSI-CRAN.

Conclusion

The risk factors and causative agents of SSI-CRAN identified in this study should be considered in the design of preventive strategies aimed to reduce the incidence of this serious complication.