Surgical site infections (SSIs) are among the most frequent healthcare-associated infections globally. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), SSIs affect up to one-third of surgical patients in low and middle-income countries and remain a significant concern in high-resource settings¹. These infections can delay healing, increase patient discomfort, and lead to serious complications.
SSIs are associated with:
The WHO estimates that SSIs contribute significantly to postoperative morbidity and healthcare costs, making prevention a clinical and economic priority¹.
Many factors increase the likelihood of developing an SSI, including:
Among these, wound care practices are a controllable factor that play a critical role in infection prevention.
Preventing surgical site infections (SSIs) requires a multi-phase approach that begins before the first incision and continues well into the recovery period.
Common perioperative best practices include:
While these measures are essential, they primarily address the early stages of surgical care. Post-operative wound care, particularly the selection and management of dressings, is a critical yet often underemphasised factor in ongoing infection prevention. Choosing the right dressing can significantly influence healing outcomes and help reduce the risk of SSIs², especially in the context of rising antimicrobial resistance³.
Dressings help maintain a clean wound environment and protect against external contamination. But not all dressings are created equal. Traditional options like silver dressings or antiseptic-coated materials may contribute to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) when used repeatedly.⁴
A recent systematic review and meta-analysis highlighted the effectiveness of DACC-coated wound dressings in reducing the risk of surgical site infections (SSI) within 30 days following a procedure. The findings indicate that these dressings can nearly halve the incidence of SSI during this period.3
Bacteria-binding dressings, such as those using Sorbact® Technology, work by physically binding⁵ and removing bacteria from the wound surface without releasing active substances.
This approach:
