A pilot study: intraoperative 16S rRNA sequencing versus culture in predicting colorectal incisional surgical site infection.

Background: Surgical Site Infection (SSI) of the abdominal incision is a dreaded complication following colorectal surgery. Identifying the intraoperative surgical site microbes may provide clarity in the pathogenesis of SSIs. Genomic sequencing has revolutionized the ability to identify microbes from clinical samples.

A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Intra-Operative Surgical Site Sampling: Culture versus Culture-Independent Techniques in Predicting Downstream Surgical Site Infection.

Surgical site infection remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. Traditionally, the causation has been inferred from the organism(s) detected in the post-operative setting. However, the intra-operative surgical site and the bacteria it harbors have been scarcely studied.