A Study of a Prevalence of Port Site Infections in Laparoscopic Surgery in a Tertiary Care Centre in the Rural Set Up

Background: Port site infections though rare, shall be evaluated and studied so as to improve the quality of healthcare. The advantages of laparoscopic surgery are well known, but the question is, is it totally free of complications like port site infections? Does performing laparoscopic surgery guarantee, post-operative period free of infections? Port site complications are known to happen. We, in our study, intend to find out the prevalence of port site infections in patients undergoing various laparoscopic surgeries like Cholecystectomy, Appendectomy, Hernioplasty.

Aims: To study the prevalence & nature of port site infections (PSIs) in cases of laparoscopic surgeries in all age groups in a tertiary health care centre in the rural setup.

Materials and Methods: Patients of all age groups and both sexes undergoing Laparoscopic surgeries during a period of 1 year between June 2013 to June 2014 were followed up and included in the study. Port sites were meticulously examined for any infections, and if suspected, swabs were sent for culture and sensitivity. Patients undergoing Laparoscopic surgeries were documented and studied against set parameters to evaluate the prevalence as also to ascertain the factors affecting the chances of PSI. Regular swab sticks were used to send swabs of those port sites where the infection was suspected.

Results: Out of the total sample size of 100, two patients had port site Infections. Both patients’ portsite was contaminated during the procedure. The rate of PSI was not affected by age, sex, nature of procedure or duration of hospital stay in our study. Neither did the type of surgery or co-morbidities affect the same. Statistical analysis used: Chi-square test.

Conclusions: Port site infection is a rare complication of Laparoscopic surgery. The advent of laparoscopy has reduced the rate of postoperative morbidity. Chances of PSI were found to be significant though if the port site was accidently contaminated.