Aseptic operations in orthopedics and trauma surgery. Current state of the art

Background. Surgical site infections (SSI) in traumatology and orthopedics in the era of increasing technical improvements and an aging and increasingly fragile population are of crucial importance mostly showing complicated, long-term and expensive outcome. Spectrum of pathogens. Typical wound pathogens of these infections include Staphylococcus aureus, biofilm-producing Staphylococcus epidermidis, hemolytic Streptococci and the Gram-negative rods Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Problems. Critical points in the development of SSI are preoperative skin antisepsis, hand hygiene, safe and skilled technique by surgeons, barrier nursing to prevent spread of pathogens, postoperative wound surveillance and a functioning hygiene regime in the context of an adequate quality management system. Baseline infection incidence in traumatology and orthopedics is inherently higher compared with other surgical disciplines; nevertheless, significant improvements can be achieved by the implementation of risk-adapted infection control measures.