Postoperative wound infections in the surgical clinic of University Hospital Centre “Mother Theresa” in Tirana- a microbiologic study

By, MD. PhD. Zahide SULEJMANI, Prof. Assoc. Dr. Lumturi MERKURI

Abstract
Introduction: Every year hundreds of thousands of surgical and invasive medical procedures such as endoscopic and others are performed in Albania. In each of these procedures, a surgical instrument or medical device comes into contact with the sterile tissue or mucous membranes of the patient. In case of failing during disinfecting and sterilizing procedures there is a risk of transmission of environmental pathogenic microbes.

Methodology: This is a comparative study carried out in March 2014 and September 2021 in the surgical clinic of ward III of the University Hospital Centre “Mother Theresa”. The samples were taken from the postoperative wounds of patients with surgical intervention, in which were isolated and identified the pathogenic microbes. The samples in the operative wounds were taken with sterile tampons inserted in simple broth, then they were placed in a thermostat for 24 hours at a temperature of 37oC. The tubes are left on the table, the transition is made to nutrient media such as Agar-blood, Machonkay, Deoxycholate-citrate, they are put back into the thermostat at a temperature of 37oC for 24 hours and the next day the plates are analyzed to isolate and identify the pathogenic microbes.

Results: Surgical wound infections are considered surgical infections, which are directly related to the type of surgical intervention. Out of 49 samples of postoperative wounds taken in 2014, 48.8% (24) of them were isolated and identified microbial stains. Regarding the pathogen type: 12.5% E. Coli, 16.7% Staphylococci aureus, 50% Staphylococci epidermis, 12.5% Pseudomonas and 8.3% Klebsiella. Out of the 7 samples in 2021, no pathogenic microbes were isolated.

Conclusions: Comparing the microbial charge in the wounds of postoperative patients in 2014 and 2021, we found a considerable improvement. We relate this finding with the considerable improvement of hygienic-sanitary conditions in 2021, in accordance with infection prevention protocols.

Key words: surgical wound, interventions, hospital infections, pathogen, microbial stain

https://doi.org/10.58944/agzj8349