Surgical-site infections and surgery of the salivary glands

Summary Objectives To determine the surgical-site infection (SSI) incidence rate targeted on salivary gland surgery over a 2-year period (from January 2007 to December 2008). Then identify any risk factors associated with SSI in all the patients operated with no antibiotic prophylaxis in accordance with French Anesthesiology Society guidelines. Population and methods Ninety-three patients were operated during the standard SSI surveillance period. A case-control (one case for five controls) study was then conducted aiming to identify risk factors. Results The SSI incidence rate was 9.7%. The case-control study failed to identify any relevant risk factor with univariate analysis. Conclusion As no risk factors could be identified, we suggest that surgical antibioprophylaxis could be relevant in salivary glands surgery and should be evaluated in this setting.