Association Between the Lockdown for SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) and Reduced Surgical Site Infections after Vascular Exposure in the Groin at Two Italian Academic Hospitals.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the scrupulous hygiene rules and the restriction of contacts during the lockdown owing to the COVID-19 pandemic affected the rate and severity of surgical site infections (SSI) after vascular exposure in the groin at two Italian University Hospitals.

Methods: Starting from March 2020, strict hygiene measures for protection of health care workers (HCW) and patients from COVID-19 infection were implemented, and partly lifted in July 2020. The main exposure for analysis purposes was the period in which patients were operated.