Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIM: This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of surgical site infection (SSI) prevention approaches in rectal cancer surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 1,408 patients who underwent elective rectal cancer surgery between 1995 and 2017 were reviewed. Patients were divided into three groups: control group (group A, n=245), SSI prevention intervention group (group B, n=516), and laparoscopic or robotic surgery group (group C, n=647). The groups were compared in terms of SSI and anastomotic leakage (AL) incidences, and risk factors for SSI were investigated. RESULTS: The overall SSI and AL rates were 19.4% and 3.6%, respectively. These rates were significantly lower in Group C (9.3%, 1.7%), compared to Groups A (40.0%, 6.1%) and B (22.5%, 3.5%). Abdominoperineal resection, open surgery, operation time, intraoperative bleeding, lack of absorbable sutures, lack of mechanical bowel preparation, and lack of oral antibiotics were independently associated with SSI. CONCLUSION: SSI reduction after rectal cancer surgery was achieved through various intervention strategies.