[Neonatal surgical site infection: multicentric survey on prophylactic measures].

Objectives: Surgical site infection (SSI) has a considerable impact on neonatal morbidity. There are known risk factors such type of surgery (clean/contaminated), prematurity, surgical length, hypoalbuminemia, previous infection, prolonged mechanical ventilation, and so on. Many perioperative factors have not been studied, opposite to adults. We have developed a survey on intraoperative attitudes and measures, as surgical wound management in Neonates among pediatric surgeons, to seek for a wider consense.

Methods: Multi-response survey with 22 items, based on the Surgical Infection Society NIH 2008 clinical guideline. Each item poses a question on perioperative attitudes, surgical aspects and wound management. Each question is subdivided in two categories, depending on urgency and type of surgery (clean/contaminated).

Results: 159 surveys were sent. Among those, we received back 51 (32%). 69% of the interviewed surgeons use clorhexidin to prepare surgical field, 25% use Iodine solutions. 69% never use diathermy to incise skin. There was no agreement on the use of sterile plastic adhesive drapes, intra-cavity lavage, changing surgical gloves/material, or wound irrigation during closure. 82% never use cyanocrilate dressing. Intracuticular skin suture and simple stitches were used indistinctly. Wound management and dressings were not uniform and depended on each pediatric unit.

Conclusions: The survey reflects the lack of consensus regarding prophylactic measures and wound management among pediatric surgeons who care after surgical neonates.