Risk factors for wound infection after minor surgery in general practice.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the incidence of and risk factors for surgical site infections in general practice.

DESIGN

Prospective, observational study of patients presenting for minor excisions.

SETTING

Primary care in a regional centre, Queensland, October 2004 to May 2005.

PARTICIPANTS

857 patients were assessed for infection.

RESULTS

The overall incidence of infection was 8.6% (95% CI, 3.5%-13.8%). Excisions from lower legs and feet (P = 0.009) or thighs (P = 0.005), excisions of basal cell carcinoma (P = 0.006) or squamous cell carcinoma (P = 0.002), and diabetes (P < 0.001) were independent risk factors for wound infection.

CONCLUSION

Our results indicate the high-risk groups for surgery in a general practice setting, such as people with diabetes and those undergoing excision of a non-melanocytic skin cancer or excision from a lower limb. Recognition of these groups could encourage more judicial use of prophylactic antibiotics and use of other interventions aimed at reducing infection rates.