What is the leading cause of preventable morbidity after surgery?

Surgical site infections (SSIs) represent the leading cause of preventable morbidity after surgery due to several factors. SSIs can lead to significant complications, extended hospital stays, and increased healthcare costs. They are a major concern across various surgical disciplines, as they can occur at the site of the incision, affecting the recovery and healing process.

The risk factors for SSIs include, but are not limited to, contamination during surgery, the patient's nutritional status, the presence of diabetes, and the use of immunosuppressive medications. Effective preventive measures, such as proper sterilization techniques, prophylactic antibiotics, and maintaining glycemic control in diabetic patients, can significantly reduce the incidence of these infections.

In contrast, while deep vein thrombosis, cardiac events, and respiratory complications are also important concerns in the postoperative setting, SSIs stand out because they are often directly attributable to the surgical procedure itself and can be mitigated through specific interventions. This distinction highlights why surgical site infections are prioritized in discussions of preventable postoperative morbidity.