Which type of surgical wound is classified as clean-contaminated?

A surgical incision involving the respiratory or gastrointestinal tract is classified as clean-contaminated due to the nature of the organs involved and the presence of their normal flora. In surgical terms, a clean-contaminated wound occurs when there is a controlled entry into a hollow organ, such as the gastrointestinal tract or respiratory tract, where there is a risk of contamination but no overt infection is present.

This classification acknowledges that while the procedures are planned and performed under sterile conditions, the surgical site inherently carries a higher risk for infection compared to completely clean procedures, such as those involving uninfected skin. In clean-contaminated cases, there is a presence of bacteria derived from the normal flora of the respective organ, but because the procedure is performed in a controlled manner, the risk of postoperative infection is regarded as low to moderate.

In contrast, other options describe wounds that fall into different categories. A traumatic wound with significant contamination denotes a dirty or infected wound, while a surgical incision through uninfected skin or a clean surgical procedure is classified as clean. Understanding these distinctions helps guide appropriate antibiotic prophylaxis and postoperative management.