Preventing surgical site infections with Sorbact® Technology

Surgical site infections (SSIs) are among the most common healthcare-associated infections globally, affecting up to one-third of surgical patients in low- and middle-income countries¹ ². Despite being largely preventable, SSIs remain the second most frequently reported complication, contributing to increased morbidity, prolonged hospital stays, and significant healthcare costs³.

Standard SSI prevention strategies, such as antibiotic prophylaxis, antiseptic skin preparation, and silver-containing dressings, have limitations. While these methods can reduce infection risk, they often rely on chemical agents that may contribute to antimicrobial resistance (AMR), especially with repeated or widespread use⁴.

Leading clinical guidelines⁴ caution against the routine use of topical antimicrobials on surgical wounds and emphasise the importance of responsible antibiotic use. As AMR continues to rise globally, the need for alternative, non-chemical approaches to infection prevention is becoming increasingly urgent.

Sorbact® Technology, used in Leukomed® Sorbact®, leverages hydrophobic interaction to attract and irreversibly bind bacteria and fungi to the dressing surface. These pathogens are then removed with each dressing change, without the use of antimicrobial agents⁵.

This physical mechanism:

• Reduces bacterial load in the wound
• Development of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is not expected
• Is safe for long-term use, even in sensitive patient populations

Sorbact® Technology supports antimicrobial stewardship by avoiding the release of active substances. This means:

• No disruption of the wound’s natural healing environment
• A safer, smarter choice for routine post-op care

By integrating bacteria-binding dressings into surgical protocols, clinicians can take a proactive step in reducing SSIs and supporting global AMR mitigation efforts⁵.