Post-operative wound sepsis: a study of post-operative wound sepsis in a series of 2638 operations in a provincial Group Hospital

Abstract

1. A review of the literature on post- operative sepsis since the time of Lister to the present day is given.2. Post- operative sepsis was studied in a series of 2638 operations performed in a provincial group hospital in England between September, 1957 and October, 1960. In the first 1788 operations a sepsis rate of 11.9% was found and in the next 850 it was 7.7%. Virtually 70.E of the infection was due to Staph. aureus.3. An account of the measures which were introduced at various points throughout the three years study to control sepsis, is given.4. In the discussion the effect of these measures is considered and the results obtained compared with those of other investigations. Special reference is made to and reasons offered why it was considered that the majority of infections took place in the operating theatres.5. Measures are recommended for the control of post -operative sepsis. They are those which have been found useful in this hospital group.