risk factors
Last reviewed 01/2018
Risk factors for the development of wound infection include:
- senility, diabetes, ischaemia, malnutrition, vitamin C and zinc deficiency
- steroids and cytotoxic drugs, radiotherapy
- long preoperative hospital admission
- shaving the operative site the night prior to surgery
- rough handling of the tissue
- poor blood supply, for example sutures too tight
- failure to debride devitalised tissues
- large dead space
- contamination of wound