RT Journal
A1 Moucha, Calin S.
A1 Clyburn, Terry
A1 Evans, Richard P.
A1 Prokuski, Laura
T1 Modifiable Risk Factors for Surgical Site Infection
JF The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery
JO The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery
YR 2011
FD February 16
VO 93
IS 4
SP 398
OP 404
DO 
UL http://dx.doi.org/
AB 
Multiple risk factors for orthopaedic surgical site infection, including a wide variety of demographic, comorbid, operative, and postoperative variables, have been identified1. The patient as a host is an important risk factor for infection, and many, if not most, patients are in suboptimal health. Optimizing the patient's medical condition before surgery and eliminating or even diminishing modifiable risk factors for infection (Fig. 1) should lower the risk of surgical site infection. Direct scientific evidence showing that modification of these risk factors will lead to a decrease in surgical site infection is not readily available, and much work in this field remains to be done. It is imperative that surgeons have an extensive knowledge of modifiable risk factors affecting the wound-healing process and subsequent wound complications.