Modern Trends in Surgical Site Infection Rates for Colorectal Surgery: A National Surgical Quality Improvement Project Study 2013-2020

BACKGROUND: Few studies have investigated trends in global surgical site infection rates in colorectal surgery in the past decade. OBJECTIVE: This study seeks to describe changes in rates of different surgical site infections from 2013 to 2020, identify risk factors for surgical site infection occurrence, and evaluate the association of minimally invasive surgery and infection rates in colorectal resections. DESIGN: A retrospective analysis of the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database 2013-2020 identifying patients undergoing open or laparoscopic colorectal resections by procedure codes was performed. Patient demographic information, comorbidities, procedures, and complications data were obtained. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed. SETTING: This was a retrospective study. PATIENTS: A total of 279,730 patients received colorectal resections from 2013 to 2020. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome measure was the rate of surgical site infection, divided into superficial, deep incisional, and organ space infections. RESULTS: There was a significant decrease in rates of superficial infections (p < 0.01) and deep incisional infections (p < 0.01) from 5.9% in 2013 to 3.3% in 2020 and from 1.4% in 2013 to 0.6% in 2020, respectively, but a rise in organ space infections (p < 0.01) from 5.2% in 2013 to 7.1% in 2020. Minimally invasive techniques were associated with decreased odds of all surgical site infections compared to open techniques (p < 0.01) in multivariate analysis, and adoption of minimally invasive techniques increased from 59% in 2013 to 66% in 2020. LIMITATIONS: The study is limited by its retrospective nature and variables available for analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Superficial and deep incisional infection rates have significantly decreased, likely secondary to improved adoption of minimally invasive techniques and infection prevention bundles. Organ space infection rates continue to increase. Additional research is warranted to clarify current recommendations for mechanical bowel preparation and oral antibiotic use as well as to study novel interventions to decrease postoperative infection occurrence.